PB1459 - Circulating tumor cell clusters in peripheral blood of breast cancer patients contain fibrin

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

13:45 – 14:45 ICT

Room: Exhibition Hall

Presenting Author(s)

Yong Hu, PhD, MS

Lecturer
Xuzhou Medical University
Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)

Co-Author(s)

XQ

Xiaobing Qin

Associate chief physician
Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University
Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
JT

Juanjuan Tang

Attending doctor
Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University
Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
XY

Xuemei Yang

Senior technician
Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University
Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
YG

Yubai Guo

Lecturer
Xuzhou medical university
Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
YZ

Yuxin Zheng

Master student
Xuzhou medical university
Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
yJ

yang Ji

Master student
Xuzhou medical university
Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
CX

Chenxi Xiang

Pharmacist-in-charge
Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University
Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
DM

Dongshen Ma

Pharmacist-in-charge
Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University
Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)
HL

Hui Liu

Chief physician；Associate professor
Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University；Xuzhou medical university
Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China (People's Republic)

Background: Compared with single circulating tumor cells (CTCs), CTC clusters are with higher potentials to form blood-borne metastasis. Recent evidences show the metastatic potentials of CTC clusters are improved by clustering with platelets. The interplay between CTCs and platelets probably involves other blood components, including coagulation system, in CTCs clustering.

Aims: The activation of coagulation system results in the fibrin formation. We aim to detect the presence of fibrin in CTC clusters.

Methods: Peripheral blood (7.5 mL) of breast cancer patients were collected. Erythrocytes were lysed, all nucleated cells were fixed in neutral buffered formalin. After fixation, all nucleated cells were made into an agar gel-based cell block. Cell blocks were embedded in paraffin. Histological and immunocytochemical staining were performed on paraffin sections. Serial sections were stained by H&E, cellulose staining solution, and immune-stained by fibrin, estrogen receptor, tissue factor, cleaved caspase 3, and Ki-67.

Results: CTC clusters were detected in patients with breast cancer, but rare ( < 5 in most patients). CTC clusters were not mere solely aggregates of tumor cells. Moderate amount of fibrin was detected in CTC clusters. Compared with single CTCs, CTCs clustered with fibrin expressed Ki-67, and less level of cleaved caspase 3.

Conclusion(s): We demonstrated the presence of fibrin in CTC clusters in peripheral blood of breast cancer patients. And fibrin in CTC clusters may protect and promote CTCs.