The importance of circulating tumor cells in the diagnostic and therapeutic process in ovarian cancer

Czech version

Authors: J. Pavlásek; E. Kučera
Authors‘ workplace: Gynekologicko-porodnická klinika 3. LF UK a FNKV, Praha, přednosta doc. MUDr. E. Kučera, CSc.
Published in: Ceska Gynekol 2013; 78(4): 342-346

Overview

Objective:
Our goal was to summarize clinical studies which used CTC/CSCs for prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer.

Type of study:
Review article.

Setting:
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Faculty Hospital Královské Vinohrady, Prague

Material and methods:
This paper reviews various methods of CTCs detection as well as the biology and molecular characterisation of CTCs/CSCs.

Conclusion:
Determination of CTC (circulating tumor cells) / CSCS (cancer stem cells) has great potential in the diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring of disease, therapeutic effect and the risk of relapse in ovarian cancer for other malignancies. The presence of CTCs / CSCS in the blood seems to be a decisive factor in the initiation of metastatic process. The results of these studies show a clear link CTC negativity with an extension length of progression-free interval (PFI) and overall survival in patients with ovarian cancer.

Keywords:
circulating tumor cells – cancer stem cells – metastasis – ovarian cancer

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