Background:

The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the vascular system is a tell-tale signature of

metastasis in epithelial origin cancers including lung, breast, colorectal and head and neck

cancers. Noteworthy, about 90% of cancer deaths are due to the progression of metastasis.

Yet, cancer therapy is focussed on inhibiting tumour growth and there is a paucity of options

that target metastasis. We demonstrate the POP ‘device’ that removes circulating tumour

cells (CTC) from a patient’s blood to reduce the metastatic progression and improve overall

survival.

Methods:

We designed, multi-component glass beads enriched antibody EpCAM conjugate substrates

as POP blood fluidic device. We characterized the substrate and accounted for the

biocompatibility using whole blood of healthy volunteers. We evaluated, the acute toxicity of

substrates using rat (Wistar Albino) whole blood (CPCSEA registration number:

941/PO/Re/S/06/CPCSEA; 31/07/2019) and further studied major histopathological tissues

for any toxicity. Finally, we evaluated 06 cancer patients whole blood (1.5 mL) for capturing

and for the elimination of CTCs. The captured cells were immuno-stained, and the optimal

fluorescence acquisition intensity was critically quantified in accounting CK18 protein overexpression.

Results:

The multi-component antibody EpCAM based substrate exhibited efficient CTC capture ability

with a mean capture efficiency ranging from 40% to 100 % when compared to the

OncoDiscover CTC test approved by CDSCO/ drug controller general of India (DCGI).

Furthermore, the substrate indicated high biocompatibility primarily exhibited by the absence

of haemolysis on whole human blood. Additionally, the preliminary animal experiments in

rats showed a 100% survival rate and negligible toxicity to major organs.

Conclusions:

Removal of circulating tumor cells as a therapeutics is highly implicated in improving the

overall survival of epithelial cancer patients.