Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) have capture the imagination of clinician, researchers and the public since they were first discovered in a blood of a patient with cancer in 1869. These rare circulating tumour cells present a unique window into the biology of metastasis and importantly they can also act as a liquid biopsy-based diagnostic approach that can provide prognostic information as well as to aid in therapeutic management.
This presentation will delve into innovative imaging techniques, particularly multi-parametric approaches that enhance the detection and characterization of CTCs for clinical applications. Advances in high-resolution and correlative microscopy can provide deeper insights into the structural and molecular profile of CTCs, allowing for more accurate prognostication and real-time monitoring of disease progression. By integrating multi-parametric imaging methods, such as fluorescence imaging, phase contrast, and high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), clinicians can gain a comprehensive view of CTC morphology, biomarker expression, and viability.
These technologies enable a more granular assessment of tumor biology, linking CTC characteristics with clinical outcomes and treatment response. The application of CTC-based liquid biopsies for early detection, prognostication, and monitoring of therapeutic efficacy has the potential to transform cancer management by providing dynamic, individualized insights into tumor progression. While challenges remain in standardizing imaging protocols and validating clinical correlations, the expanding role of multi-parametric imaging in liquid biopsy applications highlights a promising frontier for enhancing cancer diagnostics and patient care.
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