The Role of Circulating Tumor Cells in Colorectal Cancer

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Biomarkers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 1076

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Cancer Liquid Biopsy Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
Interests: circulating tumor cells; circulating tumor DNA; liquid biopsy; liquid biopsy devices; in vitro models; tumor biology; drug resistance; molecular oncology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The detection and characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent a growing area of research in the treatment and management of colorectal cancer (CRC). These cells, released from the primary tumor and metastases into the bloodstream, offer a direct view of tumor behavior and can provide clinically relevant information for monitoring disease progression and predicting therapeutic response. This Special Issue focuses on new developments in the biology and detection technologies of CTCs in CRC, exploring their potential as biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized therapies. Contributions will include studies that delve into the molecular mechanisms underlying CTC dissemination, the genetic and phenotypic profiling of CTCs, and innovative approaches for their identification through advanced imaging and sequencing techniques.

I am pleased to invite you to contribute to an upcoming Special Issue of Cancers titled "The Role of Circulating Tumor Cells in Colorectal Cancer". This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research and reviews that explore the role of circulating tumor cells in colorectal cancer, aligning with the journal's focus on advancing translational cancer research. Articles are invited that deepen our understanding of CTC biology and detection methods in CRC and highlight their clinical utility in diagnostics, prognostics, and personalized treatment planning.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Advanced technologies for CTC detection and characterization in CRC;
  • Genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic profiling of CTCs in CRC patients;
  • Mechanisms of CTC dissemination and their role in CRC metastasis;
  • The use of CTCs as biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic response;
  • Liquid biopsy applications for targeted, personalized CRC management.

I look forward to receiving your contributions and to working together to advance this exciting field.

Dr. Chiara Nicolazzo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • circulating tumor cells (CTC)
  • colorectal cancer (CRC)
  • liquid biopsy
  • biomarkers
  • tumor progression
  • personalized medicine
  • molecular profiling
  • metastasis
  • diagnostic techniques
  • prognostic evaluation

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 496 KB  
Article
The Significance of CEA and CA 19-9 Levels in Serum and Peritoneal Fluid in Colorectal Cancer Patients in the Context of Peritoneal Metastases and Cytology Results
by Michał Bąk, Magdalena Wojciech, Roman Monczak, Marek Zawadzki and Dawid Murawa
Cancers 2025, 17(16), 2661; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17162661 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 732
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) frequently metastasizes to the peritoneum, significantly worsening patient prognosis. While serum tumor markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) are routinely measured, their diagnostic or prognostic role in peritoneal fluid remains unclear. This study [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) frequently metastasizes to the peritoneum, significantly worsening patient prognosis. While serum tumor markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) are routinely measured, their diagnostic or prognostic role in peritoneal fluid remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the relationship between CEA and CA 19-9 levels in both serum and peritoneal fluid, and the clinical stage of CRC, particularly focusing on the presence of peritoneal metastases and positive cytology. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 89 patients with histologically confirmed CRC who underwent surgery between 2020 and 2023. All patients had preoperative assessment of CEA and CA 19-9 levels in serum and peritoneal fluid, along with cytological examination of peritoneal fluid samples. Patients were categorized based on the presence or absence of macroscopic peritoneal metastases and cytology results. Results: Elevated levels of CEA and CA 19-9 in peritoneal fluid were significantly associated with the presence of peritoneal metastases. A positive cytological finding also correlated with higher marker concentrations. Conclusions: CEA and CA 19-9 levels in peritoneal fluid strongly correlate with peritoneal dissemination in CRC. These markers may serve as additional predictive factors, aiding in early detection of peritoneal spread and improved risk stratification. Their assessment may be useful in guiding intraoperative and postoperative decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Circulating Tumor Cells in Colorectal Cancer)
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