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Abstract: Despite significant advances in treatment of patients with cancer, patients continue to die from this disease. The main cause for cancer-related death is no longer the primary tumor, but the development of recurrence and metastases. Small numbers of tumor cells are released from the primary tumor (disseminated tumor cells, DTC) and spread into the bloodstream or lymphatic vessels. This type of minimal residual disease (MRD) of solid tumors cannot be detected by conventional imaging.
Therefore, early detection of DTC in patients with solid tumors is important for the evaluation of the tumor process and for monitoring therapy response.
The aim of this study is the detection and characterization of DTC in peripheral blood or other body fluids in patients with solid tumors by using sensitive techniques. Techniques to be applied are Real-time PCR and chromogenic in situ hybridization. The results will be compared with a standard enrichment technique, followed by immunocytochemical detection.
Detection and characterization of these DTC might help to better understand tumor biology, to improve patient therapy and to identify new therapeutic targets.

Keywords: molecular biology; cancer research; oncology; Körperflüssigkeiten; Minimalresterkrankung; peripheres Blut; Real-time PCR; zirkulierende Tumorzellen

Staff: Dandachi, Nadia, Project Leader; Balic, Marija, Co-worker; Resel, Margit, Co-worker; Stanzer, Stefanie, Co-worker; Tockner, Sonja, Co-worker; Bauernhofer, Thomas, Co-worker

Funded by: Österreichische Nationalbank (Jubiläumsfonds), Otto Wagner Platz 3, A-1090 Wien, Austria

Project results published: > Critical evaluation of real-time reverse transcrip... J Mol Diagn. 2005; 7(5):631-637