Determination of Circulating Tumor Cells by Flow Cytometry in the Bladder Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background The current study aimed to detect of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in 7.5 mL blood sample in bladder cancer patients treated with transurethral resection (TUR) or radical cystectomy (RC) and compare the pre-operative and post-operative CTC counts. Materials and Methods CTCs were detected in peripheral blood of 10 bladder cancer patients with flow cytometry using biomarkers EpCAM, CK 14, 15, 16, 19 and CK 7, 8 for positive selection and CD45 for negative selection. The blood samples obtained before and after operation were studied in 5 out of 10 patients. Results The CTC counts decreased significantly in patients (Z=2.032; p=0.042) after the operation. The pre-operative CTC counts for the patient group were found to be significantly higher than the control group. No CTCs were detected in the control group. Conclusion The results are promising in terms of CTC detection in bladder cancer (Bca) by flow cytometry. Preand post-operative CTC counts as predictive and prognostic biomarker dramatically change in this study.