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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Metastasis | Research

Systematic optimization and evaluation of culture conditions for the construction of circulating tumor cell clusters using breast cancer cell lines

Authors: Jueyao Zou, Qiong Chen, Yong He, Yanhong Pan, Han Zhao, Junfeng Shi, Zhonghong Wei, Suyun Yu, Yang Zhao, Xin Han, Yin Lu, Wenxing Chen

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters play a critical role in carcinoma metastasis. However, the rarity of CTC clusters and the limitations of capture techniques have retarded the research progress. In vitro CTC clusters model can help to further understand the biological properties of CTC clusters and their clinical significance. Therefore, it is necessary to establish reliable in vitro methodological models to form CTC clusters whose biological characteristics are very similar to clinical CTC clusters.

Methods

The assays of immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, EdU incorporation, cell adhension and microfluidic chips were used. The experimental metastasis model in mice was used.

Results

We systematically optimized the culture methods to form in vitro CTC clusters model, and more importantly, evaluated it with reference to the biological capabilities of reported clinical CTC clusters. In vitro CTC clusters exhibited a high degree of similarity to the reported pathological characteristics of CTC clusters isolated from patients at different stages of tumor metastasis, including the appearance morphology, size, adhesive and tight junctions-associated proteins, and other indicators of CTC clusters. Furthermore, in vivo experiments also demonstrated that the CTC clusters had an enhanced ability to grow and metastasize compared to single CTC.

Conclusions

The study provides a reliable model to help to obtain comparatively stable and qualified CTC clusters in vitro, propelling the studies on tumor metastasis.

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Title: Systematic optimization and evaluation of culture conditions for the construction of circulating tumor cell clusters using breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Jueyao Zou
Qiong Chen
Yong He
Yanhong Pan
Han Zhao
Junfeng Shi
Zhonghong Wei
Suyun Yu
Yang Zhao
Xin Han
Yin Lu
Wenxing Chen
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Metastasis
Published in: BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-024-12214-9

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