Portal venous circulating tumor cells as a biomarker for relapse prediction in resected pancreatic cancer

• DOI: 10.1007/s00018-025-05669-x
• Publication Date: 2025-04-10T03:08:22Z
• Authors: Dannel Yeo; Doruk Seyfi; Althea Bastian; Heidi Strauss; Anna Leach; Vera Klemm; Anthony Pirrello; Kevin Spring; Payal Saxena; Sara Wahlroos; Sarah Sutherland; Peter Grimison; Jin-soo Park; Charbel Sandroussi; John EJ Rasko
• Keywords: Circulating tumor cell; Venous blood

Abstract Background Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease with poor prognosis. The only potentially curative treatment option surgical resection, however recurrence common. Biomarkers to detect minimal residual disease, assist risk stratification, relapse and real time monitoring, are required. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) a promising liquid biopsy biomarker for solid tumors. However, their role in monitoring pancreatic remains be determined. Our study aimed investigate whether detection enumeration of CTCs could predict provide status. Method Participants planned Whipple procedure or partial pancreatectomy were enrolled this prospective pilot study. Intraoperatively, 7.5 mL portal peripheral venous blood collected, was also collected post-surgery. CTC identification performed using the AccuCyte-CyteFinder platform CellSieve microfiltration. Results Of 29 participants, 20 confirmed have epithelial by histopathology, where 15 had ductal adenocarcinoma. In those cancer, detected intraoperatively 75% samples, contrast 40% (median: 6 0 per 7.5mL respectively). Only predictive adenocarcinoma relapse. positive (> 5) group 6.67 times higher recurring (odds ratio = 20.43, sensitivity 1.00, specificity 0.625). Detection post-surgery correlated small subset patients. Conclusions If validated, may prognostic patients undergoing surgery.