Spatial heterogeneity in epithelial to mesenchymal transition properties of circulating tumor cells associated with distant recurrence in pancreatic cancer patients.

ABSTRACT: Background:The spatial heterogeneity of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related circulating tumor cells (CTCs) within the circulatory system and its potential clinical relevance remain unclear in pancreatic cancer (PC) patients. We aimed to map the distribution of EMT-related CTCs along the spreading pathway and investigate the prognostic significance due to the potential spatial heterogeneity in the count and phenotypic properties of CTCs. Methods:Both portal vein (PoV) and peripheral vein (PV) blood samples were collected from 39 PC patients. CTCs were isolated by using a CD45 negative enrichment method, and EMT-related phenotypes in CTCs were analyzed by 4-channel immunofluorescence. The correlations of CTCs with patient characteristics and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed. Results:Both the number {median CTC total count, 10 [6-16] in PoV vs. 5 [1-7] in PV per mL, P<0.0001} and EMT status of CTCs [median mesenchymal CTC (M-CTC) percentage, 0.33 (0.13-0.52) in PoV vs. 0.2 (0-0.4) in PV, P=0.0211] showed significant spatial heterogeneity during dissemination from the PoV to the PV. Univariate analysis adjusting for patient age and sex revealed that CTC total count and M-CTC percentage in PoV samples could be risk factors for RFS in PC patients (P=0.003 and P=0.001, respectively), and ROC curve analysis found that both of these factors had good performance in distinguishing patients with early distant recurrence (within 6 months), with the optimal cut-off values of 14 cells/mL (AUROC =0.893, sensitivity =0.857, specificity =0.813, P=0.001) and 0.545 (AUROC =0.795, sensitivity =0.714, specificity =0.906, P=0.016), respectively. Conclusions:Multivascular assessment of EMT-related CTCs suggested profound dynamic alterations in total count and phenotypes during dissemination, and the spatial heterogeneity of CTCs in circulation could help establish novel prognosis markers in PC patients.

SUBMITTER: Dong X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7327339 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature