Circulating tumor cells and circulating cancer stem cells and their detection by the method of flow cytometry

This review describes the circulating cancer stem cells (CCSCs) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs). CCSCs are one of the main initiators of recurrent cancer and thus make them an important target for the development of new treatment methods. CTCs are relatively new biomarkers for the early diagnosis of metastasis. CTCs provide doctors with valuable information about each stages of cancer treatments: diagnostic of early-stage disease, early detection of recurrent cancer, the efficiency of chemotherapy, and makes it possible to select an individual sensitive drug.

The most informative and frequently used markers for the detection of CSCs and CSCs were described. The mechanism of two models of tumor formation is considered: clonal and hierarchical. The known mechanisms of epithelial-mesenchymal transition of tumor cells are described. The most widely used specific cell surface markers for the detection and isolation of CTCs and CCSCs are described. The efficiency of a sensitive high-precision method of multicolor flow cytometry using specific fluorescent dye-labeled monoclonal antibodies for the detection of CCSCs and CTCs in the blood of cancer patients is analyzed. Detection of CTCs and CCSCs provides important information for the early diagnosis of metastasis and open a possibility to personalized treatment, and to monitoring of all stages cancers.

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