Clinical Significance of TWIST-Positive Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Author:
Hyun Jung LEE
1
;
Gwang Ha KIM
;
Su Jin PARK
;
Chae Hwa KWON
;
Moon Won LEE
;
Bong Eun LEE
;
Dong Hoon BAEK
;
Hoseok I
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Gut and Liver 2021;15(4):553-561
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background/Aims:Unlike other gastrointestinal tract cancers, there are relatively few reports on the clinical significance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and TWIST, a marker of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of TWIST expression in CTCs in patients with ESCC.
Methods:Peripheral blood samples for CTC analyses were prospectively obtained from 52 patients with ESCC prior to treatment between September 2017 and September 2019. CTCs were detected using a centrifugal microfluidic system based on a fluid-assisted separation technique, and CTCs positive for TWIST on immunostaining were defined as TWIST (+) CTCs.
Results:Of the 52 patients with ESCC, CTCs and TWIST (+) CTCs were detected in 44 patients (84.6%) and 39 patients (75.0%), respectively. The CTC and TWIST (+) CTC counts were significantly higher in patients aged >65 years and those who had a large tumor (>3 cm) thanin those aged ≤65 years and those who had a small tumor (≤3 cm), respectively. There were nodifferences in CTC and TWIST (+) CTC counts according to tumor location, histologic grade, or TNM stage. TWIST (+) CTCs were significantly associated with histologic grade; a proportion of TWIST (+) CTCs ≥0.5 was significantly associated with advanced histologic grade. Other clini-copathologic characteristics such as sex, age, tumor location, tumor size, and TNM stages were not significantly associated with TWIST (+) CTCs.
Conclusions:Our study showed that TWIST (+) CTCs were frequently detected in patients with ESCC, and a high proportion of TWIST (+) CTCs was associated with poor differentiation
