Advancements in Circulating Tumor Cell Research: Bridging Biology and Clinical Applications.

Simple Summary: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide due to widespread metastasis. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) were first detected in 1886 and have been thought of as seeds of metastasis. However, emerging evidence has shown that CTCs can be used for early disease detection and as predictors of disease prognosis and treatment response. This review discusses recent findings regarding the detection and characterization of CTCs. Integrating these findings into routine clinical workflows promises to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cells released from the primary and metastatic tumor and intravasate into the blood or lymphatic vessels, where they are transported to distant sites and act as seeds that initiate cancer metastases or the development of further lesions. Recent advances in CTC research have shown their relevance as prognostic markers for early and metastatic disease detection, predictive biomarkers for relapse, and response to medical intervention or therapy. The rapidly evolving landscape of CTC biology has opened new avenues for understanding cancer progression, metastasis, and treatment response. Additionally, translating these findings into clinical applications holds promise for improving cancer diagnostics, prognosis, and personalized therapeutic strategies. This review discusses the significance of CTCs in cancer research and their associated challenges. We explore recent developments in the detection and characterization of CTCs and their implications in cancer research and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]