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. 2012;7(10):e47365.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047365. Epub 2012 Oct 15.

Circulating endothelial cells and microparticles as prognostic markers in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Tania Fleitas  1 , Vicenta Martínez-Sales, Virtudes Vila, Edelmiro Reganon, David Mesado, Maria Martín, José Gómez-Codina, Joaquín Montalar, Gaspar Reynés
Affiliations

Circulating endothelial cells and microparticles as prognostic markers in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Tania Fleitas et al. PLoS One. 2012.

Abstract

Background: Circulating endothelial cells and microparticles have prognostic value in cancer, and might be predictors of response to chemotherapy and antiangiogenic treatments. We have investigated the prognostic value of circulating endothelial cells and microparticles in patients treated for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Methodology/principal findings: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 60 patients before first line, platinum-based chemotherapy +/- bevacizumab, and after the third cycle of treatment. Blood samples from 60 healthy volunteers were also obtained as controls. Circulating endothelial cells were measured by an immunomagnetic technique and immunofluorescence microscopy. Phosphatidylserine-positive microparticles were evaluated by flow cytometry. Microparticle-mediated procoagulant activity was measured by the endogen thrombin generation assay.

Results: pre- and posttreatment levels of markers were higher in patients than in controls (p<0.0001). Elevated levels of microparticles were associated with longer survival. Elevated pretreatment levels of circulating endothelial cells were associated with shorter survival.

Conclusions/significance: Circulating levels of microparticles and circulating endothelial cells correlate with prognosis, and could be useful as prognostic markers in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The following industries: Roche Pharma, Amgen, Lilly, MSD, and Bayer contributed financially to the purchase of reagents and for hiring a laboratory technician, in accordance with legal procedure of the foundation of Hospital La Fe for donations,without any kind of interest in the results of the study, and they did not participated in any other aspect in the study.This does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Kaplan-Meyer analysis of survival.
The upper reference limit was calculated as values of CECs >152 cells/mL (corresponding to the 75th percentile of the patient group) CECs: circulating endothelial cells.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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