Circulating Neoplastic-Immune Hybrid Cells Are Biomarkers of Occult Metastasis and Treatment Response in Pancreatic Cancer

Ranish K. Patel, Michael Parappilly, Hannah C. Farley, Emile J. Latour, Lei G. Wang, Ashvin M. Nair, Ethan S. Lu, Zachary Sims, Byung Park, Katherine Nelson, Skye C. Mayo, Gordon B. Mills, Brett C. Sheppard, Young Hwan Chang, Summer L. Gibbs, Adel Kardosh, Charles D. Lopez, Melissa H. Wong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer that is challenging to diagnose and treat. Current methods to measure disease burden, monitor treatment response, and predict disease progression have significant limitations. This study explores the utility of circulating neoplastic-immune hybrid cells (CHCs) as a novel blood-based biomarker. We find that pre-operative CHC levels can predict the presence of metastatic disease that may only be detected during surgical exploration, as well as identify patients who are likely to experience rapid metastatic progression after surgery. Further, CHC levels and protein expression patterns are reflective of disease response to chemotherapy. Collectively, these results suggest that CHCs could serve as crucial indicators of disease status and treatment efficacy, offering great potential to enhance survival outcomes for patients with PDAC.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number3650
JournalCancers
Volume16
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2024

Keywords

  • cancer biomarker
  • circulating hybrid cells
  • early detection
  • liquid biopsy
  • pancreatic cancer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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