Tumor vascularity in prostate cancer: an update on circulating endothelial cells and platelets as noninvasive biomarkers

In order to individually tailor prostate cancer (PCa) treatment, clinicians need better tools to predict prognosis and treatment response. Given the relationship between angiogenesis and cancer progression, circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and their progenitors have logically been proposed as potential biomarkers. The utility of their baseline levels and kinetics has been investigated for years. However, owing to a lack of standardization and validation of CEC and circulating endothelial progenitors enumeration protocols, results have been inconsistent in prostate and other cancers. Similarly, platelets play a significant part in cancer progression, yet the role of platelet-related biomarkers in PCa is unclear. While there have been a number of theoretically interesting platelet-related markers proposed, limited research has been conducted in PCa patients. Currently, CECs and platelets do not have a clear role as biomarkers in routine PCa care. Given the theoretical merits of these cells, prospective trials are warranted.

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