Circulating tumour cell isolation, analysis and clinical application.

In this review, we focus on the biological properties and clinical applications of CTCs and current CTC enrichment and isolation methods. Combined enrichment methods based on physical and biological properties are considered instrumental for the development of highly specific and sensitive CTC capture methods. The utilization of CTCs in conjunction with other liquid biopsy components (such as ctDNA) may yield more clinically useful information and the circadian rhythmicity of CTC release may change the way to evaluate and treat patients.