Background/aim: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) comprise a heterogeneous population of cancer cells with different clinical and biological value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of CTCs with an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype in primary breast cancer (PBC) patients.
Patients and methods: This study included 427 primary breast cancer patients. RNA extracted from CD45-depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) was evaluated for the expression of EMT transcription factors (TWIST1, SNAIL1, SLUG, ZEB1) by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
Results: In total, CTC EMT was detected in 77 (18.0%) patients. Patients without detectable CTC EMT in peripheral blood had significantly longer disease-free survival than patients with detectable CTC EMT. The prognostic value of CTC EMT was demonstrated in all subgroups of patients.
Conclusion: CTCs with an EMT phenotype have a prognostic value in primary breast cancer.
Keywords: Circulating tumor cells; early breast cancer; epithelial–to–mesenchymal transition.
Copyright© 2019, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.