Metastatic breast cancer patients whose blood contains circulating tumor cells (CTCs) before or after treatment with high-dose chemotherapy and blood stem cell transplant have shorter survival periods, according to a new study by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
The findings were presented today in a poster session at the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
In addition, patients with higher percentages of epithelial cells, or the presence of a specific cellular transition, had higher chances for relapse.
"Building on the information from this study, we eventually may be able to use these molecular markers to identify breast cancer patients with a high likelihood of developing metastasis or relapsing. This may allow physicians to design specific treatments to help patients achieve better outcomes," said James M. Reuben, PhD, professor in MD Anderson’s Department of Hematopathology, and co-corresponding author of the study.
Source: MD Andersen Cancer Center
