Optimization of a flow cytometry method for the approach of liquid biopsy as a therapy modulation tool in patients with colorectal cancer

Abstract

Personalized medicine in oncology aims to tailor a particular dynamic treatment for the individual, starting from the diagnostic throughout therapy. To guide the appropriate treatment decisions, liquid biopsy is being used as a real time monitoring analysis targeting the detection and analysis of: (i) circulating tumour cells that shed from the tumours and circulate through the blood stream, (ii) circulating tumour DNA (cell free DNA originated from apoptotic and necrotic tumour cells) and (iii) exosomes of tumour origin. Many techniques were developed to isolate cells of epithelial origin in whole blood based on the expression of cell-surface markers like EpCAM and panCK. However, due to their low number (1-10 cells/mL of whole blood) as compared to normal blood cells, enrichment strategies are to be developed for optimum results. In this context, the aim of this study was to develop a flow cytometry protocol to detect the circulating tumour cells in patients with colon cancer, with high impact on therapy modulation.