Abstract Introduction Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent an independent predictor of
outcome in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We assessed the prognostic
impact of CTCs according to different first-line systemic treatments, and explored their
potential predictive value in MBC patients. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 235 newly
diagnosed MBC patients, treated at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. All
patients had a baseline CTC assessment performed with CellSearch®. Progression-free …

1033 Background: The detection of≥ 5 circulating tumor cells (CTC)/7.5 ml of blood in
patients (pts) with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) predicts worse progression-free survival
(PFS) and overall survival (OS). In this retrospective study we confirmed the prognostic role
of CTC and hypothesized a potential predictive value of this marker. Methods: We
enumerated CTC by CellSearch in a cohort of 235 newly diagnosed pts with MBC prior to
receiving first-line therapy, between September 2004 and November 2009. We compared …