Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with metastasis significantly contributing to its lethality. The metastatic spread of tumor cells, primarily through the bloodstream, underscores the importance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in oncological research. As a critical component of liquid biopsies, CTCs offer a non-invasive and dynamic window into tumor biology, providing invaluable insights into cancer dissemination, disease progression, and response to treatment. This review article delves into the recent advancements in CTC research, highlighting their emerging role as a biomarker in various cancer types. We explore the latest technologies and methods for CTC isolation and detection, alongside novel approaches to characterizing their biology through genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and epigenetic profiling. Additionally, we examine the clinical implementation of these findings, assessing how CTCs are transforming the landscape of cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and management. By offering a comprehensive overview of current developments and potential future directions, this review underscores the significance of CTCs in enhancing our understanding of cancer and in shaping personalized therapeutic strategies, particularly for patients with metastatic disease.
癌症仍是全球范围内主要的致死原因，其中转移过程显著加剧了其致命性。肿瘤细胞主要通过血液途径发生转移性扩散，这凸显了循环肿瘤细胞在肿瘤学研究中的重要性。作为液体活检的关键组成部分，CTCs为肿瘤生物学提供了无创且动态的观测窗口，为癌症扩散、疾病进展及治疗反应提供了宝贵见解。本文综述深入探讨了CTC研究的最新进展，重点阐述了其在不同癌症类型中作为生物标志物的新兴作用。我们系统梳理了CTC分离与检测的最新技术方法，以及通过基因组学、转录组学、蛋白质组学和表观遗传学分析表征其生物学特性的创新策略。同时，我们评估了这些研究成果的临床转化应用，探讨CTCs如何重塑癌症诊断、预后评估和治疗管理的格局。通过对当前进展和未来潜在方向的全面概述，本综述强调了CTCs在深化癌症认知、构建个性化治疗策略方面的重要价值，尤其对转移性疾病患者具有特殊临床意义。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家