Circulating tumor cells: clinically relevant molecular access based on a novel CTC flow cell

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biotechnology
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Cancer diagnostics increasingly rely on molecular analysis of genetic information.
• Limited access to solid tumor tissue hinders comprehensive cancer diagnostics and monitoring.
• Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood offer an alternative but require efficient isolation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate the automated LiquidBiopsy platform for high-throughput isolation of CTCs.
• To assess the platform's reliability and purity for downstream molecular analysis.
• To enable clinically relevant genetic profiling of CTCs.

Main Methods:

• Utilized magnetophoresis and microfluidics for an automated CTC enrichment platform.
• Employed high-throughput sheath flow microfluidics for positive selection of CTCs.
• Validated CTC recovery accuracy (<20% error) and precision (CV<25%) down to 9 CTCs/mL.

Main Results:

• The LiquidBiopsy platform demonstrated high-throughput isolation of CTC populations.
• Achieved CTC recovery of 78% for MCF7 cells using anti-EpCAM antibodies.
• Attained 10% purity with as few as 6 CTCs/mL and >1% purity with 1 CTC/mL.

Conclusions:

• The LiquidBiopsy platform is a validated, automated solution for high-throughput CTC isolation.
• Enables CTC enumeration and recovery of high-purity samples for molecular analyses like qPCR and NGS.
• Facilitates clinically relevant genetic profiling of CTCs, advancing personalized cancer care.