CellSearch: detection of circulating tumour cells for the prognosis and improved management of cancer patients
Ellery B, Hiller JE
Record ID 32011000623
English
Authors' recommendations:
The included studies provide evidence that CellSearch® contributes potentially useful prognostic information for metastatic colorectal, breast and prostate cancer patients. However, what these results mean in terms of changes to patient management remains unclear. The study by Cohen et al (2008) was used to support FDA clearance of the CellSearch system for enumeration of CTCs in metastatic cancer patients and was not designed to determine whether therapeutic changes based on unfavourable CTC count confers any advantage. Similarly, de Bono et al (2008) reported that their data led to FDA clearance of CellSearch® for CTC enumeration in metastatic prostate cancer patients. Nakamura et al (2010) did not disclose any such information, but their design was similar. Radiological techniques, used in all three studies, provide physicians with a means of assessing progression by the gross morphology of cancers, and are not amenable to direct comparison of prognosis as predicted by CTC levels. Consequently, CTC enumeration with CellSearch® could be better viewed as a potential adjunct to radiographic imaging. Stronger evidence of the prognostic value of CTC enumeration will depend on further comparative studies, preferably RCTs, that address whether changes to cancer therapy based on CTC levels early in the course of treatment provide improved progression-free and overall survival.The available evidence was inconclusive of benefit from changes to cancer therapy based on CTC count and the unknown cost impact may create significant barriers to uptake within mainstream practice. Therefore HealthPACT does not intend to further review this technology at this time.
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
2010
URL for published report:
Not Available
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Australia
MeSH Terms
- Humans
- Neoplasm Metastasis
- Neoplastic Cells, Circulating
- Prognosis
Contact
Organisation Name:
Adelaide Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address:
School of Public Health, Mail Drop 545, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, AUSTRALIA, Tel: +61 8 8313 4617
Contact Name:
ahta@adelaide.edu.au
Contact Email:
ahta@adelaide.edu.au
Copyright:
Adelaide Health Technology Assessment (AHTA)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.