2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - Posters-P2.11A.24 Characterization of Circulating Tumor-Associated and Immune Cells in Advanced-Stage NSCLC

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This study focuses on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the predominant type among lung cancers and leads globally in cancer-related deaths. Due to its complexity and the difficulties in obtaining accurate tissue biopsies, there is a critical need for reliable, non-invasive biomarkers. The research explores the potential of liquid biopsies, specifically analyzing circulating tumor cells (CTCs), to provide insights into tumor biology and metastasis through a less invasive method than traditional biopsies.<br /><br />The study highlights the identification and characterization of various subtypes of tumor-associated cells in NSCLC patients, emphasizing circulating atypical tumor-associated macrophages (aTAMs). These were found both as part of CTC clusters and as individual cells. The presence of aTAMs is correlated with disease stage, progression, and metastasis, with a notable association with advanced stages and poor clinical outcomes. This suggests their potential role in metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy.<br /><br />Utilizing inertial microfluidics, the study achieved high-throughput and label-free enrichment of CTCs and related cells, providing reproducible results from small blood samples. This novel approach mitigates the variability in CTC detection methods seen in other studies. The findings underscore the complexity of the tumor microenvironment in NSCLC, with heterotypic CTC clusters indicating a need for further investigation into their clinical relevance.<br /><br />Overall, the research positions aTAMs as promising markers for NSCLC progression and suggests further exploration into their clinical significance, which could potentially lead to advancements in non-invasive cancer diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies. The study was supported by several Australian research organizations, highlighting its collaborative effort.

Asset Subtitle

Ken O'Byrne

Meta Tag

Speaker Ken O'Byrne

Topic Metastatic NSCLC – Immunotherapy

Keywords

non-small cell lung cancer

NSCLC

liquid biopsies

circulating tumor cells

CTCs

atypical tumor-associated macrophages

aTAMs

inertial microfluidics

tumor microenvironment

non-invasive cancer diagnostics