Circulating Tumor Cells, Disease Progression, and Survival in Metastatic Breast Cancer

✍ Scribed by Cristofanilli, Massimo; Budd, G. Thomas; Ellis, Matthew J.; Stopeck, Alison; Matera, Jeri; Miller, M. Craig; Reuben, James M.; Doyle, Gerald V.; Allard, W. Jeffrey; Terstappen, Leon W.M.M.; Hayes, Daniel F.

• Book ID: 120497283
• Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
• Year: 2004
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 136 KB
• Volume: 351
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0096-6762
• DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa040766

✦ Synopsis

background

We tested the hypothesis that the level of circulating tumor cells can predict survival in metastatic breast cancer.

methods

In a prospective, multicenter study, we tested 177 patients with measurable metastatic breast cancer for levels of circulating tumor cells both before the patients were to start a new line of treatment and at the first follow-up visit. The progression of the disease or the response to treatment was determined with the use of standard imaging studies at the participating centers.

conclusions

The number of circulating tumor cells before treatment is an independent predictor of progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer.