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Lung cancer is by far the main cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women. Early detection of malignant nodules and non-invasive monitoring of disease status is essential to increase the chance of cure. In this study, we analyzed the frequency and the biological features of circulating tumor cells, i.e., cells released from the tumor and in transit in the bloodstream, in patients with a diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer undergoing surgical resection, with the aim to develop a blood-based diagnostic test and to promptly identify patients at risk of post-operative disease recurrence.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) frequently presents when surgical intervention is no longer feasible. Despite local treatment with curative intent, patients might experience disease recurrence. In this context, accurate non-invasive biomarkers are urgently needed. We report the results of a pilot study on the diagnostic and prognostic role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in operable NSCLC. Methods: Blood samples collected from healthy volunteers (n = 10), nodule-negative high-risk individuals enrolled in a screening program (n = 7), and NSCLC patients (n = 74) before surgery were analyzed (4 mL) for the presence of cells with morphological features of malignancy enriched through the ISET^® technology. Results: CTC detection was 60% in patients, while no target cells were found in lung cancer-free donors. We identified single CTCs (sCTC, 46%) and clusters of CTCs and leukocytes (heterotypic clusters, hetCLU, 31%). The prevalence of sCTC (sCTC/4 mL ≥ 2) or the …