Disseminated tumour cells can be identified and isolated from mesenchymal tissues by their expression of epithelial markers, allowing detection of cancer precursor cells at the stage of minimal residual disease. These cells represent the precursors of distant metastasis and can serve as targets for adjuvant therapeutic interventions. [@klein_genetic_2002]
Definitions
- disseminated tumour cells
- epithelial markers
- mesenchymal tissues
- minimal residual disease
- metastasis
- adjuvant therapy