The Parsortix™ Cell Separation System-A versatile liquid biopsy platform

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biotechnology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are shed from solid tumors into the bloodstream and contribute to metastasis.
• The CellSearch® system was the first FDA-cleared platform for CTC detection, but advancements are needed.
• The field of liquid biopsy is rapidly expanding with diverse technologies for CTC analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate the Parsortix™ Cell Separation System, a novel microfluidic technology for CTC isolation.
• To assess the Parsortix™ system's ability to capture, enrich, and maintain the viability of CTCs.
• To highlight the Parsortix™ system's utility for various downstream analyses, including single-cell interrogation.

Main Methods:

• The Parsortix™ system utilizes microfluidics to capture rare cells based on physical properties like size and deformability.
• The technology focuses on reproducible high capture efficiency for CTCs.
• Isolated CTCs are viable and suitable for extensive downstream molecular and cellular analyses.

Main Results:

• The Parsortix™ system demonstrates reproducible high capture efficiency for CTCs.
• The system yields highly enriched and viable CTCs.
• The captured CTCs are amenable to diverse downstream applications, including single-cell analysis.

Conclusions:

• The Parsortix™ system represents a promising advancement in CTC isolation technology.
• This microfluidic platform offers a reliable and efficient method for obtaining viable CTCs for liquid biopsy.
• The Parsortix™ system provides a valuable tool for researchers investigating CTCs and their role in cancer progression and treatment.