Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are isolated tumor cells that are present and able to be detected in the peripheral blood of patients with primary and/or metastatic disease. The ability to measure and quantify these cells has been demonstrated in multiple solid tumor types, including breast, lung, prostate and colon.1 Furthermore, this non-invasive "liquid biopsy" has been demonstrated to have prognostic value in metastatic breast cancer beyond and independent of traditional prognostic factors.2 In addition, preliminary studies have suggested that dynamic changes in circulating tumor cells may predict response to therapy and may allow therapeutic individualization.
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