Oops, you're using an old version of your browser so some of the features on this page may not be displaying properly.

MINIMAL Requirements: Google Chrome 24+Mozilla Firefox 20+Internet Explorer 11Opera 15–18Apple Safari 7SeaMonkey 2.15-2.23

Poster Display session 3

4750 - Circulating tumour cells in head and neck and non-small cell lung cancer

Date

30 Sep 2019

Session

Poster Display session 3

Topics

Translational Research

Tumour Site

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Presenters

Kenneth O'Byrne

Citation

Annals of Oncology (2019) 30 (suppl_5): v25-v54. 10.1093/annonc/mdz239

Authors

K.J. O'Byrne

Author affiliations

  • Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, 4102 - Woolloongabba/AU

Resources

Login to get immediate access to this content.

If you do not have an ESMO account, please create one for free.

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.

This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential, while others help us improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.

For more detailed information on the cookies we use, please check our Privacy Policy.

Customise settings
  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and you can only disable them by changing your browser preferences.