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Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18(8):3251-3265. doi:10.7150/ijbs.71768 This issue Cite

Review

Circulating tumor cells in the early detection of human cancers

Zixin Feng1, Junyu Wu1, Yuanjun Lu1, Yau-Tuen Chan1, Cheng Zhang1, Di Wang2, Dan Luo3, Yuan Huang3, Yibin Feng1✉, Ning Wang1✉

1. School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R, P.R. China
2. School of Life Science, Jilin University, Jilin, P.R. China
3. Cellomics International Limited, Hong Kong S.A.R., P.R. China

✉ Corresponding authors: Yibin Feng: yfenghk; Ning Wang: ckwanghk

Citation:
Feng Z, Wu J, Lu Y, Chan YT, Zhang C, Wang D, Luo D, Huang Y, Feng Y, Wang N. Circulating tumor cells in the early detection of human cancers. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18(8):3251-3265. doi:10.7150/ijbs.71768. https://www.ijbs.com/v18p3251.htm
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Abstract

Graphic abstract

Cancer is a severe disease with high morbidity and mortality globally. Thus, early detection is emerging as an important topic in modern oncology. Although the strategies for early detection have developed rapidly in recent decades, they remain challenging due to the subtle symptoms in the initial stage of the primary tumor. Currently, tumor biomarkers, imaging, and specific screening tests are widely used in various cancer types; however, each method has limitations. The harms are even overweight against the benefits in some cases. Therefore, early detection approaches should be improved urgently. Liquid biopsy, for now, is a convenient and non-invasive way compared to the traditional tissue biopsy in screening and early diagnosis. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are vital in liquid biopsy and play a central role in tumor dissemination and metastases. They have promising potential as cancer biomarkers in early detection. This review updates the knowledge of the biology of CTC; it also highlights the CTC enrichment technologies and their applications in the early detection of several human cancers.

Keywords: Circulating tumor cell (CTC), Early detection, Liquid biopsy, Human cancers, Cancer metastasis

Citation styles

APA
Feng, Z., Wu, J., Lu, Y., Chan, Y.T., Zhang, C., Wang, D., Luo, D., Huang, Y., Feng, Y., Wang, N. (2022). Circulating tumor cells in the early detection of human cancers. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 18(8), 3251-3265. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.71768.

ACS
Feng, Z.; Wu, J.; Lu, Y.; Chan, Y.T.; Zhang, C.; Wang, D.; Luo, D.; Huang, Y.; Feng, Y.; Wang, N. Circulating tumor cells in the early detection of human cancers. Int. J. Biol. Sci. 2022, 18 (8), 3251-3265. DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.71768.

NLM
Feng Z, Wu J, Lu Y, Chan YT, Zhang C, Wang D, Luo D, Huang Y, Feng Y, Wang N. Circulating tumor cells in the early detection of human cancers. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18(8):3251-3265. doi:10.7150/ijbs.71768. https://www.ijbs.com/v18p3251.htm

CSE
Feng Z, Wu J, Lu Y, Chan YT, Zhang C, Wang D, Luo D, Huang Y, Feng Y, Wang N. 2022. Circulating tumor cells in the early detection of human cancers. Int J Biol Sci. 18(8):3251-3265.

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