Assessment of circulating tumor cells and clusters expressing PD-L1 in urological cancers Publications | 17 March 2026 ASCO 26: Assessment of circulating tumor cells and clusters expressing PD-L1 in urological cancers High prevalence of PD-L1–positive circulating tumor cells in urological cancers, especially prostate cancer, indicating minimal residual disease and recurrence risk. Abstract Background Urological cancers, including prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular, and penile cancers, often fail to show symptoms or show only nonspecific symptoms at early stages. This leads to delayed diagnosis, treatment decisions, and outcomes. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) predict the outcome in metastatic prostate cancer (PC). Furthermore, in bladder cancer, CTC positivity is linked to muscle invasion, higher recurrence risk, and worse clinical outcomes. CTC PD-L1 expression could evade immune elimination. In spite of complete remission, a higher percentage of patients are known to recur in urothelial cancers. CTCs acting as minimal cellular residual disease (MCRD) are highly implicated, knowing their capacity to be dormant systemically with extravasation and invasion to distant organs. We analyzed the presence of CTCs with PD-L1 over-expression in urological cancers at baseline and follow-ups. Methods Retrospectively, a total of 359 urological cancer patients were evaluated for CTC positivity, including 307 at baseline and 52 follow-up samples. The cancer type distribution was prostate cancer (n = 139), bladder (n = 188), kidney (n = 10), testes (n = 2), penis (n = 8), urothelial (n = 12), etc. Ninety-five percent of the patients were male (n = 293) and 5% were female (n = 14), with most patients aged 61 to 80 years. CTCs expressing PD-L1, positive CTCs, and CTC clusters were analyzed using OncoDiscover® PD-L1 markers and a Zeiss fluorescence automated microscope. Demographics, cancer mean distribution, and CTC and cluster frequency were analyzed. Results Of the 359 patients, CTCs were detected in 68.2% (245/359) of patients, while PD-L1 over-expression on CTCs was present in 49.9% (179/359) of patients. However, CTC clusters were uncommon and occurred in 7.2% (26/359) of patients. Across cancer types (total CTCs = 436), prostate cancer accounted for higher CTCs with a mean CTC distribution of 2.18, while bladder was 0.74, urothelial 0.34, testes 0.18, kidney 0.74, and penis 0.38, respectively. CTC PD-L1 was highest in prostate cancer (46.1%) compared to other cancers, and CTC cluster prevalence was 1.8% in prostate cancer, urothelial (0.9%), and bladder (0.2%) cancers. In CTC-positive cases, 56.3% of patients had only one CTC, 27.8% showed two CTCs, and 8.2% had three. The mean across all patients was 0.6 for CTCs, 0.3 for CTC-PD-L1 positive, and 0.1 for clusters. Conclusions CTCs with PD-L1-positive overexpression were observed across urological cancers, being particularly higher in prostate cancer compared to bladder, kidney, and penis cancers. Many patients are known to recur in spite of complete remission, possibly due to the presence of aggressive CTCs in circulation that could evade the immune system. More studies assessing the presence of CTCs with PD-L1 expression are justified in urological cancers for minimal cellular residual disease and as prognostication. View Publication Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Dual ctDNA and CTC biomarkers improve detection of cancer progression. Publications | 3 June 2024 ASCO 2024: Impact of ctDNA genomic mutations and CTCs biomarker duo on clinical concordance in localized, progressive, and metastatic disease. Dual biomarker analysis of ctDNA and circulating tumor cells reveals disease progression and metastasis across multiple cancer types. Background Genomic mutations identified from circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) have been shown to correlate positively with clinical disease status. EGFR and intracellular cell progression and proliferation pathways involving BRCA1/2 and TP53 genes drive high ctDNA load in progressive cancer patients. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) indicate cellular residual disease (CRD). Together, ctDNA and CTCs as dual biomarkers offer predictive insights into tumor progression and metastasis, which may be valuable for early detection and treatment modifications. Methods In a retrospective study, 96 cancer patients (including lung, colorectal, breast, stomach, and other cancers) who had recently undergone treatment were investigated for the presence of CTCs and genomic mutations from ctDNA using the OncoMonitor test. Libraries were prepared using a hybridization-capture method covering 1000 targets with a mean sequencing depth of 5000× on the Illumina NextSeq 2000 platform. The test detected genomic alterations including single nucleotide variations (SNVs), small insertions and deletions (INDELs), copy number variations (CNVs), and translocations (fusions) using a 96-gene panel. CTCs were isolated using the OncoDiscover platform and identified as CK18+, PD-L1+, CD45- cells in 1.5 ml of blood. Results Among the 96 pan-cancer patients, 15.6% (n = 15) were identified with localized progressive disease without metastasis based on radiological findings, of which 60% (n = 9) showed at least one genomic alteration detected from ctDNA. Additionally, 12.5% (n = 12) patients were identified with metastatic disease from radiological findings, of which 58.3% (n = 7) showed the presence of at least one CTC. Among these, 33.3% (n = 4) patients had two CTCs, while five patients had no detectable CTCs. Furthermore, metastatic patients showed ctDNA load in 66.6% (n = 8) of cases with at least one genomic finding. In the metastatic disease cohort, CTC enumeration showed a concordance of 58.3% (n = 7) with metastatic radiological findings, while genomic findings from ctDNA showed a concordance of 66.6% (n = 8) with metastatic radiological findings. Among 23.9% (n = 23) patients identified radiologically with stable or treatment-responsive disease, 73.9% (n = 17) had no detectable genomic mutations from ctDNA, and 26.0% (n = 6) were CTC-negative, consistent with radiological findings. However, 26.0% (n = 6) patients had at least one genomic finding, contributing to discordance with radiological findings. Overall, genomic findings from the dual biomarkers showed concordance with radiological findings in 26.6% (n = 4) patients with progressive disease, 41.6% (n = 5) patients with metastatic disease, and 17.3% (n = 4) patients with stable or treatment-responsive disease. Conclusions Patients with progressive and metastatic disease identified through radiological findings showed concordance with dual ctDNA and CTC biomarkers. The concordance of ctDNA in progressive disease and CTC detection in metastatic disease highlights the individual significance of these biomarkers and supports their combined use for monitoring disease status and guiding treatment decisions. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Automated OncoMetastat device enables CTC removal to support cancer therapy outcomes. Publications | 3 November 2025 Automated Continual Flow Device to Deplete Circulating Tumor Cells using Spiral Cartridge Mediated by Antibody and Transferrin Glass Substrate Automated OncoMetastat device captures and depletes circulating tumor cells from whole blood safely, supporting extracorporeal cancer therapy and monitoring. Introduction Despite no radiological evidence of minimal residual disease, up to 25–50% of colorectal cancer (CRC) stage II–III and breast cancer cases experience relapse. Identifying patients at risk of recurrence remains challenging, as approximately 90% of cancer-related deaths are associated with metastasis. The role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in extravasation and seeding of distant organs is well established; however, their extracorporeal isolation has not been widely demonstrated in routine practice. Current ex vivo CTC isolation systems often require complex setups and extensive manual handling. In this study, we present an automated device designed to capture and remove CTCs from whole blood using biocompatible cartridges mediated by antibody- and transferrin-conjugated glass bead substrates. Methods We developed the OncoMetastat touchscreen-based operational control device, integrating six roller peristaltic pumps and a cartridge containing 680 targeting 2 mm glass beads functionalized with anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies and transferrin protein. The device housing (365 × 200 × 30 mm) contains a bi-spiral channel (95 × 95 × 10 mm) with 680 beads and eight cross-section channels (3.50 × 3.55 mm). A 3D-printed spring-loaded quick-release mechanism ensures secure tube attachment and rapid cartridge exchange. Flow performance, hemolysis, protein adsorption, and leukocyte interaction were evaluated using blood samples from healthy individuals and cancer patients across multiple cancer types, including breast, CRC, lung, and head and neck cancers. Pyrogenicity was assessed in rabbits according to ISO 10993-11 guidelines. Results The device maintained stable blood circulation at 0.5 mL/min for 5–10 mL whole blood samples using a dual snap-fit holder with a 2° angled offset. The peristaltic pump ensured consistent flow without compromising sample integrity. The bead-filled spiral channel effectively retained CTCs, while the integrated design reduced manual handling and improved reproducibility. Low hemolysis (1%), along with reduced serum protein and leukocyte interactions, was observed in both healthy and cancer patient samples. Selective CTC capture was demonstrated in 24 clinical samples across cancer types. All materials passed pyrogenicity testing, with no temperature elevation observed in accordance with guidelines. Conclusions The OncoMetastat device successfully depleted CTCs from cancer patient whole blood without adversely affecting blood components. The automated system provides stable blood flow and demonstrates proof of performance for extracorporeal CTC removal, with potential to enhance cancer therapy outcomes. View Publication Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Combined CTC and ctDNA analysis improves monitoring of metastatic colorectal cancer. Publications | 17 October 2025 Circulating Biomarkers Reveal their Complementary Association in Primary and Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Combined CTC and ctDNA analysis reveals strong prognostic value for monitoring progression and metastasis in colorectal cancer patients. Background Combined analysis of biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) overexpressing tumorigenic proteins offers insight into evolving genotypic transitions from primary tumors that lead to metastasis in distant organs. We report the comparative distribution of CTCs and ctDNA genomic profiling in patients stratified as primary colorectal cancer (CRC) patients alone and those with metastasis progression in the liver, lung, and lymph nodes. Methods Retrospectively, we analyzed 218 patients with primary CRC (n = 153; male n = 93 and female n = 60). Metastasis was accounted for in 65 patients, namely liver (n = 27), lung (n = 8), and lymph nodes (n = 30). A total of 285 peripheral blood samples (218 baseline and 67 follow-up) were analyzed for the distribution of CTCs and ctDNA with driver mutations. CTCs expressing PD-L1 were evaluated using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover platform using 1.5 ml of blood. CTCs were enumerated based on EpCAM+, CK18+, DAPI+, and CD45– markers using a Zeiss automated fluorescence microscope. Further, the OncoIndx comprehensive NGS assay was performed using a 1080-gene panel. Results At baseline, 64.8% of primary CRC patients had ≥1 CTC (mean CTC distribution ~1.1), while 55.9% of patients had detectable ctDNA. In patients with metastasis (n = 65), the mean CTC distribution was 1.8. Higher CTC distribution was observed in liver metastasis (41.5%), lymph node involvement (46.2%), and lung metastasis (12.3%). A total of 71.7% of patients had detectable CTCs, among which 88.2% showed PD-L1 expression, while 61.3% of patients had detectable ctDNA. Concordance rates were 83.7% and 100% between the presence of CTCs and ctDNA in baseline and follow-up samples from patients with primary cancer, respectively. Furthermore, a strong correlation was observed between elevated CTC counts and the presence of ctDNA mutations in key oncogenes, including KRAS, EGFR, and BRAF. Conclusions Higher co-occurrence of ctDNA with CTCs at both baseline and follow-up highlights the need for monitoring disease progression and assessing treatment response. Thus, combined analysis of CTCs and ctDNA provides significant prognostic value in metastatic colorectal cancer. View Publication Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Zonal Sales Manager (ZSM) Publication Date: 26 Aug 2026 | Last Application Date: 6 Oct 2026 Apply Now Department Sales Location Assigned Zone Experience 15-20 years Open Positions North | South | East | West Location: Assigned Zone / Travel as required Reporting To: National Sales Manager Role Overview The Zonal Sales Manager will be responsible for developing and executing the sales strategy across the assigned zone. The role will lead the regional sales function within the zone, drive business growth and build strong relationships with hospitals, oncologists, diagnostic centres and institutional customers. Key Responsibilities Develop and execute the sales strategy for the assigned zone. Achieve zonal revenue and business-development targets. Lead, coach and monitor the Regional Sales Managers and field sales teams. Develop relationships with key hospitals, cancer centres, oncologists and diagnostic laboratories. Identify new accounts and expand existing institutional relationships. Drive product adoption and awareness within the healthcare ecosystem. Develop state-wise and territory-wise sales plans. Monitor sales pipelines, conversions and performance. Conduct regular customer meetings and field visits. Track competitor activity and market developments. Coordinate with Marketing and Product teams for regional campaigns and initiatives. Prepare sales forecasts and periodic performance reports. Ensure disciplined CRM and sales reporting practices. Develop long-term strategic relationships with key healthcare stakeholders. Qualifications & Skills Bachelor's/Master's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Business or a related field. 15–20 years of relevant experience in healthcare, diagnostics, medical devices, IVD or pharma sales. Proven experience managing large regional/zonal sales teams. Strong hospital, oncology or diagnostic network. Demonstrated track record of meeting and exceeding sales targets. Excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills. Willingness to travel extensively within the assigned zone. What We Look For At Actorius, we value people who combine ownership, curiosity, scientific thinking and execution . We look for professionals who are: Passionate about healthcare and meaningful innovation. Comfortable working in a fast-growing, innovation-driven environment. Curious and willing to learn. Strong in communication and collaboration. Focused on outcomes and accountability. Comfortable working across functions. Ethical and professional in their approach. Motivated by the opportunity to contribute to technologies that can impact cancer care. About Actorius Actorius Innovations & Research Pvt. Ltd. is an innovation-driven biotechnology and medical diagnostics company focused on developing technologies that address critical challenges in cancer care. From breakthrough research to clinically meaningful diagnostics, Actorius works at the intersection of biotechnology, biomaterials, circulating tumor cells (CTCs), liquid biopsy and oncology diagnostics . Our goal is to translate deep scientific understanding into practical technologies that can help clinicians make more informed decisions and improve patient outcomes. Our flagship OncoDiscover® CTC Test is India's first DCGI/CDSCO-approved blood test for detecting circulating tumor cells and supporting cancer monitoring. Actorius also continues to develop advanced technologies such as OncoMetastat® , alongside its broader research and diagnostic platforms. We are looking for dynamic thinkers, problem-solvers and doers who want to work on meaningful challenges in healthcare and contribute to technologies that can make a difference in cancer care. Why Join Actorius? Work on Meaningful Healthcare Challenges Contribute to technologies focused on cancer diagnostics, CTCs, liquid biopsy and oncology. Be Part of an Innovation-Driven Organisation Work alongside scientists, clinicians, business leaders and healthcare professionals. Learn Across Disciplines Actorius encourages interdisciplinary thinking across science, technology, diagnostics, marketing, sales and operations. Build With Purpose Our work is driven by the belief that better biological insights can contribute to better healthcare decisions. Grow With the Organisation Join a growing team where ownership, initiative and individual contribution matter. How to Apply Click the below link to apply. Candidates are encouraged to clearly mention the position and preferred location in their application. Apply Now

Magnetic nanocrystals capture tumour cells from blood samples Press Release | 11 February 2024 Magnetic nanocrystals capture tumour cells from blood samples These nanomaterials could speed up discovery of anti-cancer drugs Cellulose-based magnetic nanocrystals and nanofibres can capture circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from the blood samples of head and neck cancer patients. A magnet is used to separate the trapped tumour cells, which are then identified under a fluorescence microscope. This technique could potentially be used to monitor cancer progression in real time, says an international team, which included researchers at North Dakota State University, USA, the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, and Actorius Innovations and Research, and Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, both in Pune. Click the below link to read the full article. Know More Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

OncoDiscover Blood Test Detects Cancer Relapse Early | Dr. Jayant Khandare Expert Insight | 28 August 2022 Revolutionary Blood Test Detects Cancer Relapse Early | Dr. Jayant Khandare Discover India's first approved, highly affordable blood test that detects cancer relapse and metastasis earlier than traditional CT or MRI scans. Developed by Dr. Jayant Khandare and clinically validated with Tata Memorial Hospital, this painless test catches circulating tumor cells before it's too late. Cancer relapse and metastasis are responsible for the vast majority of cancer-related fatalities, often because traditional imaging tools like CT and MRI scans fail to catch the disease's return in time. This video highlights a groundbreaking and highly affordable blood test—India's first-in-class medical device approved by the Drug Controller General of India. Developed by Dr. Jayant Khandare, the OncoDiscover test requires only a small volume of blood to identify circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and detect minimal residual disease before it becomes uncontrollable. Clinically validated in partnership with Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, this painless innovation provides oncologists with a powerful tool to monitor patients, optimize treatment, and ensure families never have to hear the dreaded words, "It's too late." Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Magnetically activated nanocellulose enables efficient CTC capture in head & neck cancer. Publications | 20 September 2023 Manuscript: Magnetically-activated, nanostructured cellulose for efficient capture of CTCs from the blood sample of head and neck cancer patients Study compares CNC and CNF cellulose nanostructures for EpCAM-based CTC capture in head and neck cancer, enabling affordable real-time cancer monitoring. In this report, the relative efficiency of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and nanofibers (CNFs) to capture circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the blood samples of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients was evaluated. Detection and enumeration of CTCs are critical for monitoring cancer progression. Both types of nanostructured cellulose were chemically modified with epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibody and iron oxide nanoparticles. The EpCAM antibody facilitated the engagement of CTCs, promoting their entrapment within the cellulose cage structure. Iron oxide nanoparticles, on the other hand, rendered the cages magnetically activatable, enabling the capture and separation of entrapped CTCs using a magnet. The efficiency of the network structures was demonstrated using blood samples from head and neck cancer patients. It was observed that the degree of chemical functionalization of hydroxyl groups within the CNCs or CNFs with anti-EpCAM determined the efficiency of the system’s interaction with CTCs. Furthermore, the results indicated that the inflexible scaffolds of nanocrystals interacted more efficiently with CTCs than the fibrous CNF scaffolds. Network structures derived from CNCs demonstrated comparable CTC-capturing efficiency to the commercial standard, OncoDiscover®. The findings of this work provide chemical design principles for cellulosic materials intended to construct affordable platforms for monitoring cancer progression in real time. View Manuscript Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Biofunctionalized capillary platform with 3D matrix for efficient CTC capture. Publications | 17 January 2017 Manuscript: Biofunctionalized Capillary Flow Channel Platform Integrated with 3D Nanostructured Matrix to Capture Circulating Tumor Cells Continuous-flow 3D microchannel platform captures circulating tumor cells with ~90% efficiency, enabling liquid biopsy and real-time cancer monitoring. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood provide valuable genetic information for cancer diagnosis and overall disease monitoring. The analysis of “liquid biopsy” holds immense promise, as it may lead to new approaches for cancer treatment. This study reports an effective continuous-flow microchannel system for isolating CTCs using a transferrin-conjugated 3D matrix synthesized by crosslinking polyethylene glycol–Fe₃O₄ nanostructures. This design enables rapid and efficient capture of CTCs. The platform also allows the use of multiple microchannel units in series, which can enhance cell capture efficiency by increasing the frequency of cell–substrate contact. CTCs were captured with high efficiency even at low target cell concentrations, achieving approximately 90% capture efficiency at 25 cells per mL of blood. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that cell capture performance is influenced by topographic interactions between the nanostructure-based matrix and the cancer cells of interest. In addition, this work presents a proof of concept using a 3D microchannel system capable of simultaneously capturing and permanently eliminating CTCs from peripheral blood samples. The study also evaluates clinical samples from colon and breast cancer patients for the rapid isolation of CTCs. Conclusively, the platform demonstrates a strong capacity for cancer cell sorting, biological studies of CTCs, and investigation of cancer metastasis, potentially benefiting real-time liquid biopsy applications and early cancer prognosis. View Manuscript Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

TSG mutations predict early relapse in mEGFR lung adenocarcinoma. Publications | 14 March 2025 Manuscript: The impact of co-occurring tumor suppressor mutations with mEGFR as early indicators of relapse in lung cancer A set of 17 co-occurring TSG mutations has been identified as key biomarkers for early relapse in mEGFR lung adenocarcinoma. Longitudinal genomic monitoring, with a focus on clonal evolution, offers valuable insights that can inform personalized treatment strategies and potentially improve patient outcomes. Background: Lung adenocarcinoma frequently presents with EGFR mutations, often progressing on EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKls) despite an initial response. Progression is frequently driven by additional genetic changes, including mutations in tumor suppressor genes (TSGs). Understanding the role of these concurrent TSG mutations can help elucidate resistance mechanisms and guide the development of more effective treatment approaches. Materials and methods: We examined survival outcomes in 483 EGFR-mutant (mEGFR) patients from the GENIE BPC non-small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) dataset. To understand the mutational landscape and clonal dynamics, whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out on 48 tumor samples from 16 mEGFR patients at both baseline and post-relapse. A comprehensive gene panel was applied to 200 liquid biopsy samples obtained longitudinally from 25 patients to track clonal evolution. Results: mEGFR patients with co-occurring TSG mutations exhibited significantly worse outcomes. In the GENIE dataset, overall survival (OS) was shorter [51.11 versus 99.3 months; hazard ratio (HR) 1.8, confidence interval (CI) 1.22-2.75, P = 0.003] and progression-free survival (PFS) was reduced (9.83 versus 11.48 months; HR 1.4, CI 1.03-1.91, P=0.026). WES analysis revealed 17 TSG mutations that were retained and showed clonal enrichment, particularly in early relapse (progression within 10 months of TKI initiation) or intermediate-stage relapse (relapse occurred between 10 and 20 months), indicated by increased variant allele frequency and their presence was strongly linked to early relapse. Longitudinal clonal studies further confirmed that TSG mutations co-occurring with mEGFR were often truncal, predominantly in early relapsers. Survival analysis using this subset of 17 TSGs showed significantly shorter OS (55.26 versus 99.3 months; HR 1.7, CI 1.12-2.65, P = 0.011) and PFS (9.67 versus 13.12 months; HR 1.5, CI 1.08-2.10, P = 0.013). Conclusions: A set of 17 co-occurring TSG mutations has been identified as key biomarkers for early relapse in mEGFR lung adenocarcinoma. Longitudinal genomic monitoring, with a focus on clonal evolution, offers valuable insights that can inform personalized treatment strategies and potentially improve patient outcomes. Key words: lung adenocarcinoma, tyrosine kinase inhibitor, whole exome sequencing, comprehensive gene panel, tumor suppressor genes View Manuscript Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

From circulating tumor cells and liquid biopsy to better cancer diagnostics —a journey driven by innovation, persistence, and the belief that better diagnostics can change lives. Events | 18 August 2026 14 Years of Actorius: A Journey of Innovation & Impact From circulating tumor cells and liquid biopsy to better cancer diagnostics —a journey driven by innovation, persistence, and the belief that better diagnostics can change lives. On 15 August, Actorius Innovations and Research celebrated its 14th Foundation Day —a milestone that marks more than another year on the calendar. It represents years of scientific exploration, technological development, clinical collaboration, and an unwavering focus on advancing cancer diagnostics. What began as an idea has grown into a journey focused on one of the most important challenges in oncology: understanding cancer at the cellular level and developing technologies that can help clinicians monitor how the disease evolves over time. From circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and liquid biopsy to technologies designed to support more informed approaches to cancer monitoring and metastasis research, the journey has always been driven by a simple belief: meaningful innovation in healthcare must ultimately translate into meaningful value for patients and clinicians. A Milestone Year for Actorius This Foundation Day feels particularly significant because this year, three important milestones came together: CDSCO Approved OncoDiscover® became the first and only CDSCO-approved clinical CTC liquid biopsy test in India , enabling standardized clinical use of CTC-based cancer monitoring. ISO 13485:2016 Certified Actorius' medical device Quality Management System complies with ISO 13485:2016 , reflecting internationally recognized standards for the design, development, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance of medical devices. NABL Accredited Testing is performed in an NABL-accredited laboratory , reinforcing technical competence, standardized laboratory processes, and quality in medical testing. Together, these milestones represent different dimensions of what it takes to move a healthcare innovation from scientific concept toward clinical application— regulatory validation, quality systems, and laboratory excellence. But certifications are milestones, not the mission. The Mission Remains Bigger Than the Milestones The purpose behind Actorius has remained consistent: Build meaningful science.Translate it into useful technology.And ultimately help give patients a better chance against cancer. Our work with CTC technologies reflects this approach. CTCs are cancer cells that can enter the bloodstream from tumors. Studying these cells can provide valuable biological information about cancer and how it changes over time. This has made CTCs an important area of research in liquid biopsy and cancer monitoring. Through OncoDiscover® CTC testing , Actorius is bringing CTC-based testing into clinical practice in India, with capabilities that include CTC enumeration and protein expression analysis such as PD-L1 and HER2 . At the same time, our research and development continues to explore what may be possible beyond conventional testing. OncoMetastat® , our patented investigational platform for extracorporeal blood processing, is being evaluated for its potential applications in metastasis research and future cancer care strategies. Designed to selectively isolate and analyze CTCs while preserving blood quality, the platform reflects our continued effort to explore new approaches to understanding cancer progression. From India, With a Global Scientific Ambition Our journey is rooted in India, but the questions we are working to address are global. Cancer remains one of the most complex challenges in medicine. Better outcomes will require continued progress across diagnostics, monitoring, treatment, research, and clinical decision-making. For Actorius Innovations and Research , being built in India means more than developing technologies locally. It means contributing Indian scientific and engineering capabilities to a field with global significance. Our goal is to continue building technologies that are scientifically rigorous, clinically relevant, and capable of contributing to the future of cancer care. 13 Years Completed. The Journey Continues. As we celebrate our 14th Foundation Day, we look back with gratitude—but also forward with ambition. A heartfelt thank you to our scientists, clinicians, collaborators, advisors, investors, partners, and every member of the Actorius team who has contributed to this journey. Every experiment, clinical collaboration, regulatory milestone, publication, prototype, conversation, and challenge has helped shape where we are today. 13 years completed. We are only getting started. Here’s to the next chapter of science, innovation, and the pursuit of better possibilities in cancer care. Happy Foundation Day, Team Actorius. 🧬🔬🚀 Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

CTC counts correlate with nodal stage and aggressive features in Indian HNC patients. Publications | 7 March 2026 AACR 2020: Clinical correlation of circulating tumor cells as a blood marker in Indian head and neck cancer patients. A study of 350 Indian HNC patients confirms CTCs correlate with nodal stage and aggressive features, validating their use as a clinical staging marker. Objectives To establish a rapid, highly specific, efficient, sensitive, and affordable CTC enumeration liquid biopsy technology and to validate its efficacy to isolate CTCs disseminating from epithelial tumors of the HNC subpopulation in India. Furthermore, the study aimed to investigate the correlation of CTC distribution from peripheral blood with respect to various clinicopathologic factors in these patients. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using peripheral blood from 350 enrolled HNC patients. CTCs were isolated using DCGI (India) approved technology that exploits EpCAM-based immunomagnetic separation. EpCAM+ tumor cells were isolated from only 1.5 ml of blood and critically assayed for cytokeratin 18 (CK18) expression. These cells were quantified using fluorescence imaging to obtain a threshold to further minimize nonspecific and false-positive enumeration. CTC enumeration was subsequently subjected to statistical correlation with various clinical and pathologic parameters. Results CTCs were detected in all HNC patients across various subsites. There was a minimum threshold of at least 12 CTCs in early oral cancer patients according to their clinicopathologic signatures. Compared to early oral cancer patients, advanced nodal patients showed a 40% escalation in CTC count, while an increase of up to 80% was observed when associated with aggressive features such as lymphovascular emboli (LVE) and extranodal extensions. Notably, laryngopharyngeal primary cases had the highest mean CTC count of 33 in 1.5 ml of blood. Conversely, patients with advanced disease had higher CTC counts, and this was staggered in comparison with nearly—but not all—clinical features. Remarkably, a higher clinical N (nodal) stage statistically correlated with increased CTC counts. A marked increase in CTCs was also seen in tumors that showed lymphovascular emboli on histopathology and extranodal extension. The CTC counts were independent of parameters such as age, sex, T stage, perineural invasion, bone involvement, or skin involvement. There was a notable trend toward reduced CTC counts after chemotherapy; however, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion This rapid and efficient CTC platform has been clinically validated for use in Indian HNC phenotypes. This is the first comprehensive study to show a staggering positive correlation between CTCs and various clinicopathologic factors, encompassing the largest number of oral cancer patients across the entire spectrum of HNSCC—the most common cancer in India. High CTC counts among HNC patients could possibly be one of the reasons for dismal outcomes, and further studies correlating CTCs with patient survival in HNC are warranted. However, this study strongly implicates the prospective utility of CTCs as a tumor marker in establishing clinical staging for HNC patients. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe