A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that measuring circulating tumor cells (CTCs) at the onset of metastatic prostate cancer can predict patient response to treatment and survival duration.

CTCs, which are rare cancer cells released from tumors into the bloodstream, have been primarily studied for their predictive value in advanced cancer stages.

This research is part of a phase 3 clinical trial supported by the National Cancer Institute and involves contributions from multiple institutions across the United States.

The goal of the research is to enhance clinical trials by identifying patients who would benefit from more aggressive treatment strategies based on their CTC levels.

Using CellSearch technology, the study analyzed blood samples from 503 men participating in a new drug trial, revealing that higher CTC counts correlate with shorter median survival.

Specifically, men with five or more CTCs had a median survival of 27.9 months, compared to 56.2 months for those with one to four CTCs and over 78 months for those with none.

These findings suggest that higher CTC levels indicate a need for more aggressive treatment to improve survival chances.

Lead author Dr. Amir Goldkorn emphasized that this is the first study to assess CTC counts at the initial diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer, providing crucial information for distinguishing between patients with different outcomes.

Goldkorn's team is also developing a new blood test to analyze the molecular composition of CTCs and tumor DNA, aiming to enhance predictive power for treatment matching.

Before metastasis, prostate cancer can be treated with surgery or radiation; however, once it spreads, the focus shifts to systemic treatments to prolong survival.

Overall, the research aims to enrich clinical trials by identifying patients who would benefit from more intensive treatment strategies based on their CTC levels.