Circulating tumor cell detection may offer earlier diagnosis in patients suspected of asbestos-related lung cancer

Helen Ke; Steven Kao; Nico van Zandwijk; John E J Rasko; Dannel Yeo

doi:10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107829

Circulating tumor cell detection may offer earlier diagnosis in patients suspected of asbestos-related lung cancer

Lung Cancer. 2024 Jun:192:107829. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107829. Epub 2024 May 22.

Authors

Helen Ke¹, Steven Kao², Nico van Zandwijk³, John E J Rasko⁴, Dannel Yeo⁵

Affiliations

¹ Li Ka Shing Cell & Gene Therapy Program, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia; Precision Oncology Laboratory, Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program, Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia; Medical Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, NSW 2050 Camperdown, Australia.
² Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia; Medical Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, NSW 2050 Camperdown, Australia; Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, NSW 2139 Concord, Australia.
³ Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia; Cell and Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District (SLHD), Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia.
⁴ Li Ka Shing Cell & Gene Therapy Program, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia; Precision Oncology Laboratory, Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program, Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia; Cell and Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District (SLHD), Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia. Electronic address: john.rasko@sydney.edu.au.
⁵ Li Ka Shing Cell & Gene Therapy Program, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia; Precision Oncology Laboratory, Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program, Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia; Cell and Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District (SLHD), Camperdown, 2050 NSW, Australia. Electronic address: dannel.yeo@sydney.edu.au.

PMID: 38810528
DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107829

Abstract

Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer (ARLC) presents ongoing diagnostic challenges despite improved imaging technologies. The long latency period, coupled with limited access to occupational and environmental data along with the confounding effects of smoking and other carcinogens adds complexity to the diagnostic process. Compounding these challenges is the absence of a specific histopathologic or mutational signature of ARLC. A correlation between PD-L1 expression and response to immune checkpoint inhibition has not yet been proven. Thus, new biomarkers are needed to allow accurate diagnoses of ARLC, to enable prognostication and to offer personalized treatments. Liquid biopsies, encompassing circulating DNA and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), have gained attention as novel diagnostic methods in lung cancer to screen high-risk populations including those exposed to asbestos. CTCs can be enumerated and molecularly profiled to provide predictive and prognostic information. CTC studies have not been undertaken in populations at risk of ARLC to date. The potential of CTCs to provide real-time molecular insight into ARLC biology may significantly improve the diagnosis and management of ARLC patients.

Keywords: Biomarker; Liquid biopsy; Precision medicine; Screening.

MeSH terms

Asbestos* / adverse effects
Biomarkers, Tumor*
Early Detection of Cancer* / methods
Humans
Liquid Biopsy / methods
Lung Neoplasms* / diagnosis
Lung Neoplasms* / etiology
Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
Neoplastic Cells, Circulating* / metabolism
Neoplastic Cells, Circulating* / pathology
Prognosis

Substances

Asbestos
Biomarkers, Tumor