Background Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Most studies have focused on the primary tumor or on overt metastatic lesions, leaving a significant knowledge gap concerning blood-borne cancer cell dissemination, a major step in the metastatic cascade. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood of patients with solid cancer can now be enumerated and investigated at the molecular level, giving unexpected information on the biology of the metastatic cascade. Content Here, we reviewed recent advances in basic and translational/clinical research on CTCs as key elements in the metastatic cascade. Summary Findings from translational studies on CTCs have elucidated the complexity of the metastatic process. Fully understanding this process will open new potential avenues for cancer therapeutic and diagnostic strategies to propose precision medicine to all cancer patients.

中文翻译：

---

循环肿瘤细胞：从基础研究到转化研究

背景转移是癌症相关死亡的主要原因。大多数研究都集中在原发性肿瘤或明显的转移性病变上，在血源性癌细胞传播（转移级联中的一个重要步骤）方面留下了巨大的知识空白。现在可以在分子水平上对实体癌患者血液中的循环肿瘤细胞（CTC）进行计数和研究，从而提供有关转移级联生物学的意想不到的信息。内容在这里，我们回顾了 CTC 作为转移级联关键要素的基础和转化/临床研究的最新进展。摘要 CTC 转化研究的结果阐明了转移过程的复杂性。充分理解这一过程将为癌症治疗和诊断策略开辟新的潜在途径，从而为所有癌症患者提供精准医疗。