Study of Circulating Tumor Cells in Adults with Solid Cancers Observing Their Role and Biology Across Cancer Types

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying circulating tumor cells CTCs and clusters of CTCs in various types of cancer to better understand their biology and role during disease progression. This observational study aims to evaluate CTCs as biomarkers and identify key signaling networks active in these cells, involving patients with different solid tumor cancers. The study is led by the University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland, and covers a wide range of cancer stages and subtypes. Participants will provide blood samples, typically collected in tubes containing EDTA, for isolation and detailed analysis of CTCs. For those undergoing tumor resection, additional samples will be taken from tumor draining vessels. These samples will undergo molecular analysis, culture, and drug screening to explore characteristics of the CTCs. The study does not involve any treatments but focuses on collecting and analyzing these biological samples over time. Participants will be followed for an extended period, up to around 20 years, with evaluations including overall survival and progression-free survival. The total number of isolated CTCs will also be monitored throughout the study. The long-term observation allows researchers to study changes in CTCs over disease progression. Participants will provide informed consent and undergo regular blood sampling, with no interventions beyond sample collection.

Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) in Cancer