Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41766633›Full record

ReviewExpert reviews in molecular medicine2026

Circulating Tumor Cells: Emerging Frontiers in Cancer Technology.

Parth Agarwal, Rachana Raman, Manasa Bhagwat, Prasoon Agarwal, Praveen Kumar

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Expert reviews in molecular medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Parth AgarwalManipal Institute of Technology, https://ror.org/02xzytt36Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6871-8877
Rachana RamanManipal Institute of Technology, https://ror.org/02xzytt36Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5096-6924
Manasa BhagwatManipal Institute of Technology, https://ror.org/02xzytt36Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
Prasoon AgarwalNational Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden (NBIS), SciLifeLab, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, https://ror.org/012a77v79Lund University, Lund, Sweden.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1813-7606
Praveen KumarManipal Institute of Technology, https://ror.org/02xzytt36Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6330-7355

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCirculating tumour cells (CTCs) are unique cells that originate from the main tumor site. They circulate in the bloodstream, and are implicated in metastasis, immune evasion and recurrence in various cancers. Associated biomarkers of importance for CTC detection include epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), cluster of differentiation 45 (CD45) and other cancer-specific biomolecules. Their roles as standalone biomarkers, have been thoroughly examined in CTC detection, isolation and targeting.

methodsThis review collates key findings on CTC characteristics and biomarker identification. The most recent CTC isolation and detection technologies are discussed, along with individual approaches based on inclusion and exclusion of cell-specific biomarkers. Emerging treatments integrating CTCs, including nanocarrier-mediated drug delivery, have been analyzed. We have discussed both the physical and research barriers in the current landscape.

resultsRecent advances have determined that such biomarkers are more reliable when associated with secondary biomarkers, due to concerns regarding immune evasion and low sensitivity. The identification of these molecules has fast-tracked the development of several groundbreaking technologies.

conclusionThe prognostic and predictive role of CTCs in various cancers revealed promising results. The development of integrative therapeutics can enhance patient survival and quality of life. These advancements depend on addressing key issues, such as molecular characterization and low abundance of CTCs.

Indexed as

Biomarkers, TumorNeoplasmsNeoplastic Cells, CirculatingAnimalsEpithelial Cell Adhesion MoleculeHumansPrognosisBiomarkers, TumorEpithelial Cell Adhesion Moleculebiomarkerscirculating tumor cellsimmune surveillancemagnetic immunocapturenano targetingstemness

Identifiers

PMID41766633
PMCPMC13148426

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.