Characterization of EpCAM-Positive and EpCAM-Negative Tumor Cells in Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Most studies on CTCs have focused on isolating cells that express EpCAM. In this study, we emphasize the presence of EpCAM-negative and EpCAMlow CTCs, in addition to EpCAMhigh CTCs, in early BC. We evaluated stem cell markers (CD44/CD24 and CD133) and EMT markers (N-cadherin) in each subpopulation. Our findings indicate that all stemness variants were present in both EpCAMhigh and EpCAM-negative CTCs, whereas only one variant of stemness (nonCD44+CD24−/CD133+) was observed among EpCAMlow CTCs. Nearly all EpCAMhigh CTCs were represented by CD133+ stem cells. Notably, the hybrid EMT phenotype was more prevalent among EpCAM-negative CTCs. scRNA-seq of isolated CTCs and primary tumor partially confirmed this pattern. Therefore, further investigation is imperative to elucidate the prognostic significance of EpCAM-negative and EpCAMlow CTCs.
Authors: Vladimir M. Perelmuter, Evgeniya S. Grigoryeva, Vladimir V. Alifanov, Anna Yu. Kalinchuk, Elena S. Andryuhova, Olga E. Savelieva, Ivan A. Patskan, Olga D. Bragina, Evgeniy Yu. Garbukov, Mariya A. Vostrikova, Marina V. Zavyalova, Evgeny V. Denisov, Nadezhda V. Cherdyntseva, Liubov A. Tashireva
Language: English
Topic: Cancer Cells and Metastasis
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,296
Funder: Russian Science Foundation
Award: G5241944655
OpenAlex ID: W4403462789