Melanoma circulating tumor cells: Benefits and challenges required for clinical application

Authors

G. Marsavela, Edith Cowan University
Carlos A. Aya-Bonilla, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
m. E. Warkiani, Edith Cowan University
Elin S. Gray, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Mel R. Ziman, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Cancer Letters

Publisher

Elsevier

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

27178

Comments

Marsavela, G., Aya-Bonilla, C. A., Warkiani, M. E., Gray, E. S., & Ziman, M. (2018). Melanoma circulating tumor cells: Benefits and challenges required for clinical application. Cancer letters. Available here

Abstract

The implementation of novel therapeutic interventions has improved the survival rates of melanoma patients with metastatic disease. Nonetheless, only 33% of treated cases exhibit long term responses. Circulating tumor cell (CTC) measurements are currently of clinical value in breast, prostate and colorectal cancers. However, the clinical utility of melanoma CTCs (MelCTCs) is still unclear due to challenges that appear intrinsic to MelCTCs (i.e. rarity, heterogeneity) and a lack of standardization in their isolation, across research laboratories. Here, we review the latest developments, pinpoint the challenges in MelCTC isolation and address their potential role in melanoma management.

DOI

10.1016/j.canlet.2018.03.013

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