Enrichment with anti-cytokeratin alone or combined with anti-EpCAM antibodies significantly increases the sensitivity for circulating tumor cell detection in metastatic breast cancer patients

Abstract

Our data indicate that the tumor-specific intracellular CK marker could be used for efficient CTC enrichment. Enrichment with anti-CK alone or combined with anti-EpCAM antibodies significantly enhances assay sensitivity. The three fluorescent and brightfield superior images with the Ariol(R) system reduced false-positive CTC events.