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which possibly explained the variable response progression still remains inconclusive. Therefore, further
rates to EGFR inhibition in patients with colorectal analysis and clinical trials are required to achieve clinical
cancer. Therefore, the information on the molecular utility of CTC detection in GI cancers.
[59]
status of CTCs might be useful for stratifi cation of Acknowledgments
molecular-directed therapy.
This work was supported in part by the following grants
Future Perspectives and foundations: Japan Society for the Promotion of
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition Science (JSPS) Grant-in-Aid for Scientifi c Research;
Grant Numbers: 23791550.
There are two main approaches in the detection of
CTCs, that is, immunological assays using monoclonal Financial support and sponsorship
antibodies and PCR-based molecular assays, exploiting This work was supported in part by the following grants
tissue-specifi c transcripts. Immunocytochemical and foundations: Japan Society for the Promotion of
[60]
detection of epithelial or tumor-associated antigens is Science (JSPS) Grant-in-Aid for Scientifi c Research;
[61]
widely accepted. Recent studies have shown that EMT Grant Numbers 23791550.
plays a critical role in cancer progression and metastasis
[62]
in epithelial malignancies including gastric cancer. Our Confl icts of interest
previous study implied that vimentin-positive tumor cells There are no confl icts of interest.
were able to survive in the peripheral circulation and in
the bone marrow and that vimentin-positive cancer cells References
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Journal of Cancer Metastasis and Treatment ¦ Volume 1 ¦ Issue 3 ¦ October 15, 2015 ¦ 135