Abstract 4750
Background
Metastasis in cancer patients is reflected by measurable levels of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in the blood of cancer patients. CTCs represent cancer cells from the primary and metastatic sites, thereby providing a comprehensive representation of the tumour burden of an individual patient.
Methods
Our study was designed to use microfluidic devices for the capture of CTCs and novel culture formulations for the ex vivo expansion of CTCs. Head and Neck cancer (HNC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were recruited to investigate the prognostic role of CTCs (n = 400).
Results
We demonstrated a higher CTC capture efficiency using microfluidic CTC platforms. Molecular alterations present in the primary tissue were confirmed in the CTCs by DNA FISH (EGFR-amplification, ALK-translocations). The presence of CTC clusters was associated with the development of distant metastatic disease (P = 0.0313). In a proof of principle study, we were able to demonstrate for the first time, short-term patient derived CTC cultures outside the patient’s body from 7/18 HNC samples (4/7 HPV-positive). Likewise CTC cultures were established from 6/40 NSCLC samples. Exome sequencing of CTC and white blood cells (as germline control) confirmed the presence of somatic mutations in the CTC culture with mutational signatures consistent with NSCLC. Additionally our preliminary data indicate that PD-L1 is frequently expressed on CTCs in HNC and lung cancer and an immunoscore may be able to identify patients likely to benefit from immunotherapy.
Conclusions
Expanding CTCs outside the patient’s body allows for the recapitulation of the molecular diversity present within the tumour, understanding of the disease progression and testing of therapies.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The author.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
The author has declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
2142 - Low NK Cell Abundance Correlates with High Expression of PD-1 in CD8+ T Cells
Presenter: Moon Hee Lee
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5501 - Tobacco smoking is associated with the immune suppressive microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
Presenter: Christine Chung
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5726 - Evaluation of Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity (ADCC) in lung cancer cell lines treated with combined anti-EGFR and anti-PD-L1 therapy.
Presenter: Francesca Sparano
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2534 - Radiomic Signatures for Identification of Tumors Sensitive to Nivolumab or Docetaxel in Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (sqNSCLC)
Presenter: Laurent Dercle
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3366 - Analysis of gut microbiota in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with immune-checkpoints blockers
Presenter: FEIYU ZHANG
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2089 - Pathogenesis of Myocarditis Following Treatment with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in a Cynomolgus Monkey Model
Presenter: Changhua Ji
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4463 - Effects of dietary restriction in cancer patients receiving irinotecan
Presenter: Ruben Van Eerden
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4841 - Investigating the Link between Burn Injury and Tumorigenesis
Presenter: Lucy Barrett
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4619 - Prognostic value of the neutrophil-lymphocyte, platelet-lymphocyte and monocyte-lymphocyte ratio in male breast cancer patients
Presenter: Joanna Huszno
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1122 - Platelets from metastatic cancer patients have increased aggregation and activation
Presenter: Meera Chauhan
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract