Are heterogeneous atypical cell populations present in blood of metastatic breast cancer patients?
Metastatic breast cancer patients have atypical cells that are CK + EpCAM - circulating in their blood. Because a substantial number of these patients do not have EpCAM + CTCs, additional studies are needed to evaluate the role of EpCAM - circulating cells as a prognostic and predictive marker.
Protamine-heparin-complex antibodies occur frequently in patients undergoing cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass, resulting in specific platelet activation in vitro. Protamine-heparin-complex antibodies are associated with increased protamine requirement after cardiopulmonary bypass and possibly slower recovery of platelet numbers.