Abstract
Background: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) allow the real-time monitoring of tumor course and treatment response. This prospective multicenter study evaluates and compares the early predictive value of CTC enumeration with EPISPOT, a functional assay that detects only viable CTCs, and with the CellSearch® system in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).Methods: Treatment-naive patients with mCRC and measurable disease (RECIST criteria 1.1) received FOLFIRI–bevacizumab until progression or unacceptable toxicity. CTCs in peripheral blood were enumerated at D0, D14, D28, D42, and D56 (EPISPOT assay) and at D0 and D28 (CellSearch® system). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed with the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test.Results: With the EPISPOT assay, at least 1 viable CTC was detected in 21% (D0), 15% (D14), 12% (D28), 10% (D42), and 12% (D56) of 155 patients. PFS and OS were shorter in patients who remained positive, with viable CTCs between D0 and D28 compared with the other patients (PFS = 7.36 vs. 9.43 months, p = 0.0161 and OS = 25.99 vs. 13.83 months, p = 0.0178). The prognostic and predictive values of ≥3 CTCs (CellSearch® system) were confirmed.Conclusions: CTC detection at D28 and the D0–D28 CTC dynamics evaluated with the EPISPOT assay were associated with outcomes and may predict response to treatment.