Isolation and cultivation of circulating tumor cells in pancreatic cancer
December 2014
University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
This study investigated the feasibility of isolating and cultivating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in pancreatic cancer (PaC) patients using a size-based filtration device. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 24 PaC patients prior to surgery and processed using a filtration device (MetaCell®), which isolates viable CTCs in an antibody-independent manner based on cell size. Captured cells were cultured on a membrane in nutrient-rich medium and examined via light and fluorescence microscopy. Histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to confirm cellular origin. CTCs were successfully detected in 16 patients (66.7%), independent of tumor stage, size, or metastatic status, and exhibited proliferative capacity and plasticity, with some cells invading the membrane. CTCs remained viable in vitro for at least 14 days, allowing for downstream applications. These results demonstrate the feasibility of isolating and cultivating viable CTCs from peripheral blood of PaC patients using a gentle, size-based filtration approach.
Circulating tumor cells in pancreatic cancer patients: Enrichment and cultivation
Vladimir Bobek
Added on: 05-14-2025
[1] https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v20/i45/17163.htm
