Figure 3. Morphological characterization of CD45−/EpCAM-negative/CD44+/CD24−/uPAR+/−/ int β1+/− CTC subsets cultured as in vitro 3D CTC tumorspheres.
FACS-enriched CTC subsets derived from breast cancer patient cultured in Mammocult media™ (StemCell Technologies, Inc.). CTC subsets grew as in vitro 3D CTC tumorspheres using stem cell and non-adherent conditions. White arrows indicated small-vesicle-like cells. Images were taken at 40X by phase contrast microscopy (Zeiss, Inc.). Representative images are shown.