Publication at First Faculty of Medicine |
2013
Abstract
The advanced stage of prostate cancer called castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is an incurable disease with patient´s survival around 15 months. More than 85% of patients suffering from CRPC exhibit metastases, mostly in bone.
Due to the ongoing metastatic process we are able to find circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood of the majority of the patients with CRPC. CTCs are rare cells detached from the primary tumor with the ability to generate distant metastases.
Our intention is to study further characteristics and behavior of CTCs which can lead to better prognosis for the patients with CRPC. For this reason, we study gene expression of CTCs and we would also like to cultivate these cells in vitro.