Predictive value of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in newly-diagnosed and recurrent ovarian cancer patients

Using the FDA-approved CellSearchTM system, CTCs can be isolated from women with newly diagnosed or recurrent ovarian cancer. However, CTC numbers do not significantly correlate with clinical characteristics or patient outcomes. Future studies should focus on phenotypic characterization of CTCs and whether different isolation protocols yield a higher number of CTCs or add prognostic value.