CTC stands for Circulating Tumor Cells.
These are cancer cells that have broken away from the primary tumor and are circulating in the bloodstream.
Detecting CTCs in a patient's blood can be a valuable tool for monitoring cancer progression, identifying potential treatment targets, and predicting treatment response.
The presence of CTCs in a clinical trial setting can provide insights into the effectiveness of a new treatment and the potential for disease recurrence.
Researchers use various techniques to isolate and analyze CTCs, including microfluidic devices, magnetic separation, and antibody-based methods.
By studying CTCs, researchers can learn more about the biology of cancer, develop new diagnostic and prognostic tools, and personalize cancer treatment for individual patients.
