Circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) and vimentin+ circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detected by a size-based platform predict worse prognosis in advanced colorectal cancer patients during chemotherapy

Abstract

This study provided evidence that the presence of CTCs was positively correlated with poor prognosis, and furthermore, CTM and vimentin+ CTCs predicted poorer survival, which indicated that CTM and vimentin+ CTCs detected by a sensitive platform could be used to improve prognostic value of CTCs in advanced CRC patients under treatment.