The PROBE-CTC study aims to demonstrate that circulating tumor cells could constitute a biological measure for detecting what is called a biomarker. This biomarker can be useful for the differential diagnosis of cancers, whether metastatic or not.
The goal of this study would potentially validate the prognostic value of this new biomarker in metastatic breast cancer and thus help adapt treatment. Identifying, isolating, and characterizing circulating tumor cells is currently at the heart of much research. They offer interesting prospects for several applications, such as early cancer diagnosis, monitoring residual disease to detect possible relapses early, or monitoring response to treatment and adapting treatment accordingly.
Beyond the clinical value of detecting and quantifying circulating tumor cells, validation of this technique could play a role in decision-making regarding the necessary use of traditional diagnostic methods, such as invasive biopsies, which carry risks for the patient, or costly medical imaging. The medical-economic interest of taking circulating tumor cells into account would also involve the choice of the type of first-line treatment (hormone therapy or chemotherapy) for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
