Detection of clustered circulating tumour cells in early breast cancer

Circulating tumour cell (CTC) clusters have been proposed to be major players in the metastatic spread of breast cancer, particularly during advanced disease stages. Yet, it is unclear whether or not they manifest in early breast cancer, as their occurrence in patients with metastasis-free primary disease has not been thoroughly evaluated. In this study, exploiting nanostructured titanium oxide-coated slides for shear-free CTC identification, we detect clustered CTCs in the curative setting of multiple patients with early breast cancer prior to surgical treatment, highlighting their presence already at early disease stages. These results spotlight an important aspect of metastasis biology and the possibility to intervene with anti-cluster therapeutics already during the early manifestation of breast cancer.

Automated summary

By utilizing nanostructured titanium oxide-coated slides for shear-free CTC identification, this study detected clustered CTCs in multiple early breast cancer patients prior to surgical treatment, indicating their presence at early stages of the disease. These results emphasize the importance of understanding metastasis biology and the potential for anti-cluster therapeutics intervention even during the early manifestation of breast cancer.