Prognostic significance of TWIST1, CD24, CD44, and ALDH1 transcript quantification in EpCAM-positive circulating tumor cells from early stage breast cancer patients

Abstract

(1) Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of EMT-associated (TWIST1) and stem-cell (SC) transcript (CD24, CD44, ALDH1) quantification in EpCAM+ circulating tumor cells (CTCs) of early breast cancer patients. (2) Methods: 100 early stage breast cancer patients and 19 healthy donors were enrolled in the study. CD24, CD44, and ALDH1 transcripts of EpCAM+ cells were quantified using a novel highly sensitive and specific quadraplex RT-qPCR, while TWIST1 transcripts were quantified by single RT-qPCR. All patients were followed up for more than 5 years. (3) Results: A significant positive correlation between overexpression of TWIST1 and CD24−/low/CD44high profile was found. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that the ER/PR-negative (HR-) patients and those patients with more than 3 positive lymph nodes that overexpressed TWIST1 in EpCAM+ cells had a significant lower DFI (log rank test; p < 0.001, p < 0.001) and OS (log rank test; p = 0.006, p < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analysis also revealed the prognostic value of TWIST1 overexpression and CD24-/low/CD44high and CD24-/low/ALDH1high profile for both DFI and OS. (4) Conclusions: Detection of TWIST1 overexpression and stem-cell (CD24, CD44, ALDH1) transcripts in EpCAM+ CTCs provides prognostic information in early stage breast cancer patients.