The present invention is in the fields of diagnostics and treatment of
cancer. The present invention provides, inter alia, means and methods for detecting and / or isolating
metastasis founder cells based on the expression or expression level of the marker(s) c-KIT and / or MUC1, and, preferably, at least one additional disseminated
cancer cell (DCC) marker such as EpCAM and / or (a)
cytokeratin(s). Corresponding isolated cells or
cell populations, and uses thereof, are provided as well. In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for detecting
metastasis founder cells in a sample, comprising measuring in single cells in a sample the expression or expression level of (i) a first marker which is c-KIT and (ii) at least one disseminated
cancer cell (DCC) marker, wherein expression of c-KIT and at least one DCC marker in a cell is indicative of the cell being a
metastasis founder cell, or wherein expression levels of c-KIT and at least one DCC marker in a cell above respective thresholds are indicative of the cell being a metastasis founder cell. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods for prognosing the development of metastases and / or the relapse, progression or outcome of a cancer, as well as to methods for measuring the success of an anti-
cancer treatment and / or for stratifying subjects for treatment with (an) anti-cancer
drug(s), based on the expression or expression level of said marker(s) in single cells. In addition, the present invention relates to one or more anti-
cancer drugs for use in treating a patient having metastasis founder cells according to the invention. Further provided are therapeutics for targeting metastasis founder cells such as antibodies or fragments thereof binding both, c-KIT and EpCAM, or CAR-T cells targeting both, c-KIT and EpCAM.