Clinical significance of cytokeratin 20-positive circulating tumor cells detected by a refined immunomagnetic enrichment assay in colorectal cancer patients

Sze Chuen Cesar Wong, Charles Ming Lok Chan, Brigette Buig Yue Ma, Edwin Pun Hui, Simon Siu Man Ng, Paul Bo San Lai, Moon Tong Cheung, Elena Siu Fong Lo, Amanda Kit Ching Chan, Money Yan Yee Lam, Thomas Chi Chuen Au, Anthony Tak Cheung Chan

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

67 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: Current immunomagnetic enrichment method can only detect general epithelial antigens of circulating tumor cells (CTC). Further characterization of the CTCs to provide specific information on the tumor type is not possible. We attempted to overcome this drawback by developing the methodology for using a gastrointestinal-specific anti-cytokeratin (CK) 20 antibody to detect CTCs in colorectal cancer patients' blood. Experimental Design: The protocol was validated using a colorectal cancer SW480 cell line. The clinical significance of findings in colorectal cancer was investigated by detecting CK20-positive CTCs (pCTC) in patients with colorectal cancer, other common cancers, colorectal adenoma, benign colorectal diseases, and normal subjects. Moreover, the malignant nature of CK20 pCTCs was examined by comparing chromosome 17 aberration patterns with those from the corresponding primary tumors. Results: The assay successfully showed CK20-positive SW480 cells. When applied in patient samples, the detection rates were 62% (132 colorectal cancer patients; median number = 11 CTCs), 0% (120 patients with other common cancers), 6% (50 colorectal adenoma patients), 0% (120 patients with benign colorectal diseases), and 0% (40 normal subjects). Furthermore, statistical analysis showed that CK20 pCTC numbers were associated with tumor-node-metastasis stage and lymph node status. Using the median CK20 pCTC numbers as the cutoff points, stratified groups of colorectal cancer patients had significant differences in their recurrence, metastasis, and survival. Finally, chromosome 17 aneusomy in 90% of colorectal cancer patients with CK20 pCTCs matched with those from the primary tumors. Conclusions: Detection of CK20 pCTCs using the new protocol could generate clinically important information for colorectal cancer patients.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1005-1012
Number of pages8
JournalClinical Cancer Research
Volume15
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cancer Research
  • Oncology

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