Heat Shock Protein (HSP) 70 to Quantify and Characterize Circulating Tumor Cells

Heat Shock Protein (HSP) 70 to Quantify and Characterize Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Tumors.

This study investigates the ability of heat shock protein HSP70 to isolate and quantify circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with advanced or metastatic tumors.

CTCs will be isolated from peripheral blood before antineoplastic treatment and again after three months. Isolation using HSP70 will be compared with standard CTC isolation by EpCAM.

Additionally, imaging parameters of the primary tumor (if available) and metastases will be analysed and correlations between molecular alterations and imaging parameters will be assesed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Metastatic malignant melanoma (stage IV)
• Metastatic or unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (stage III or IV)
• Metastatic breast cancer
• Metastatic sarcoma
• Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri, head and neck region, vulva, anus or penis
• hormone-refractory prostate cancer

Exclusion Criteria:

• psychiatric disorders that impede adequate informed consent