CK18 variance in CTCs across cancer types necessitates validated enumeration. Publications | 9 October 2021 ESMO 2021: Validation of Cytokeratin (CK18) Protein Expression in Epithelial Cell lines and in Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) Study shows significant CK18 expression variance across different cancer cell lines and CTCs, highlighting the need for regulated enumeration tools. Background CTCs predict an unfavourable prognosis and outcomes in cancers. Lowering of cytokeratin 18 expression is a hallmark of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Homogeneity and validation of CK18 expression in cancer cell lines and CTCs originating from distinct solid tumors is indeterminate and may contribute to non-specific counts. We hypothesize that the expression of CK18 in varied cell lines may differ quantitatively, and additionally may exhibit similar trends in CTCs enumerated from different tumor types. Methods CK18 variance in epithelial cell lines (e.g., A549+, MCF-7+, and MEF-) (n=192,269 cells) and CTCs (n=63) of different phenotypes was analyzed and compared. The fluorescence intensity was measured post-immunostaining, using motorized-automated, computer-assisted scanning, and through a customized ImageJ macro tool. The effect of anti-CK18 concentrations (0.06-6 μg/ml) and binding constants (Kb) was measured across all cell lines. CTCs were enumerated from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients' blood samples (CTRI/2018/03/012905) and from clinical samples (e.g., breast, lung, colorectal (CRC), ovarian) using the clinically relevant OncoDiscover platform. Results CK18 mapping revealed diverse fluorescence intensities distribution in three cell lines, as well as in HNSCC, lung, breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer CTCs (Table). In addition, the protein binding assay showed 8.65 x 10^3 Kb (M^-1) for MCF7 and 7.9 x 10^3 for A549 cells indicating concentration-dependent binding for CK18 expressing proteins on cells and may be varied in CTCs of different cancer types. Compared to the CK- cell line (MEF), the normalized CK18 intensity was higher by 290% and 310%, respectively, in MCF7 (breast) and A549 (lung) cells, demonstrating the variation in CK18 expression. On the other hand, CTCs showed significant diversity in CK18 expression with buccal mucosa revealing the lowest (67%), while CTCs of CRC origin demonstrated the highest expression (320%) (Table). CK18 intensity was represented across the cell lines and on CTCs enumerated from different cancer types. Conclusions Non-regulated CTC enumeration platforms pre-requisite critical validations to eliminate the non-specificity of CTC counts, which are highly imperative to clinical decisions in cancer management. Clinical Trial Identification CTRI/2018/03/012905. 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

Actorius and ACTREC Partner to Advance Clinical Cancer Research. Press Release | 5 February 2026 Actorius and ACTREC Partner to Advance Clinical Cancer Research. A collaborative research initiative to study the practical utility of Circulating Tumor Cells and their capture and depletion from patient's blood as possible aid to adjunct therapeutics. Big step forward for Actorius Innovations and Research 🙌 Actorius recently signed an MOU with Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer(ACTREC) to collaborate on clinical studies and research spanning - practical utility of Circulating Tumor Cells and their capture and depletion from patient’s blood as possible aid to adjunct therapeutics. Slowing down or blocking metastasis cascade in early stage patients. Extremely bold and breakthrough innovation hypothesis. This partnership is about taking science closer to patients—generating meaningful real-world evidence, strengthening translational research, and asking the right clinical questions where it truly matters. The MOU was signed by Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi , Director, ACTREC, and Dr. Jayant Khandare , Co-Founder & CSO, Actorius Innovations and Research. Excited about what lies ahead and the impact this collaboration can create together. Aravindan Vasudevan Rick Kamble 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

Non-hemolytic adsorbents for toxin isolation, disease tracking & therapy efficacy. Patents | 20 October 2025 Non-hemolytic compositions and methods of use for recovering disease-causing toxic constituents in the blood A non-hemolytic adsorbent composition designed to isolate, quantify, and remove disease-causing toxic constituents from blood, supporting disease identification, monitoring, and therapeutic efficacy validation. Patent Details The present disclosure relates to non-hemolytic adsorbent compositions useful for isolating, enumerating, accounting, and removing the disease-causing toxic constituents in the blood. The said compositions are useful in identifying the disease, disease status, and validating the efficacy of the therapeutic treatment being administered for the treatment of the disease. Methods for isolating, enumerating, accounting, and removing disease-causing toxic constituents in the blood as well as monitoring the disease status and validating the efficacy of the therapeutic treatment being administered for the treatment of the disease are disclosed. Related patent documents US20210106742 WO/2021/074786 CA3154234 IN202044044657 View Patent 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

Actorius Meeting with Oncology KOLs in USA and Europe Events | 20 February 2026 Meeting with our International KOLs Our team meeting with oncology KOLs from the US and Europe. Meeting with Oncology KOLs in USA and Europe We had the opportunity to engage with leading oncology KOLs across the USA and Europe, including Dr. Klaus Pantel , Dr. Catherine Alix-Panabières , Dr. Umberto Malapelle , and Dr. Ravindra Kolhe . The discussions centered around our latest innovation, OncoMetastat® , and explored emerging advancements in oncology—particularly in circulating tumor cell (CTC) research and the biology of metastasis. OncoMetastat® is our patented investigational extracorporeal blood-processing platform, inspired by blood-dialysis principles. It is designed to selectively capture circulating tumor cells directly from a patient’s bloodstream while preserving overall blood integrity. By enabling real-time interaction with CTCs, the platform aims to go beyond detection—offering the potential to study tumor behavior dynamically and generate deeper biological insights into disease progression. Importantly, OncoMetastat® is also being evaluated for its potential to reduce circulating tumor burden through selective capture, opening new possibilities in adjunct therapeutic strategies and early intervention in the metastatic cascade. Built with a strong emphasis on precision, safety, and scalability, the technology represents a step toward integrating diagnostics and intervention within a single platform. These insightful exchanges with global experts reinforce our commitment to advancing precision-driven cancer care through collaboration, innovation, and a deeper understanding of cancer biology. 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

Actorius Innovations at ASCO Annual Meeting 2026 Publications | 17 March 2026 ASCO 2026 : Association of circulating tumor cells with PD-L1 expression and clusters in confirmative tumor thrombus in selective solid cancers. Study shows circulating tumor cells with PD-L1 expression in tumor thrombus patients, indicating active dissemination and potential metastatic risk. Abstract Background Tumor thrombus (TT) refers to the direct extension of tumor cells into a blood vessel and is often detected incidentally. It is commonly observed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and Wilms tumor. The presence of TT significantly worsens prognosis and alters disease staging. TT is frequently located in vessels such as the renal vein, inferior vena cava, and portal vein, requiring multidisciplinary evaluation due to its aggressive nature and risk of obstruction or embolization. Diagnostic differentiation between tumor thrombus and a “bland” thrombus (blood clot) typically relies on imaging techniques such as CT or MRI. In this study, we evaluated the association and potential role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) expressing immune-relevant markers, such as PD-L1, in patients with tumor thrombus. The presence of CTCs originating from TT margins may help refine risk stratification and therapeutic decision-making. Methods In this observational study, 12 patients aged 51–80 years with confirmed tumor thrombus were analyzed. The cohort included patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n = 4), pancreatic cancer (n = 3), liver cancer (n = 3), renal cell carcinoma (RCC, n = 1), and gallbladder cancer (GB, n = 1). Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of CTCs with PD-L1 expression at baseline, and three patients also had follow-up samples. Samples were processed using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover CTC enrichment technology. CTCs were identified using an automated Zeiss microscope based on EpCAM⁺, CK18⁺, DAPI⁺, CD45⁻, and PD-L1⁺ markers. Results A total of 16 CTCs were detected in 10 patients (83.33%) from 1.5 mL blood samples, with counts ranging from 1 to 6 CTCs per patient. At baseline, patients with HCC, pancreatic, RCC, gallbladder, and other cancers showed the presence of PD-L1–expressing CTCs. Follow-up samples revealed persistent CTC positivity, although the number of PD-L1–positive CTCs decreased. The mean CTC distribution was 1.33 for CK18-expressing CTCs. PD-L1–positive CTCs were detected in a substantial subset, with a mean distribution of 0.67 (9 CTCs among 12 patients), indicating immune-evasive potential. CTC clusters were rare and detected in only one HCC patient but persisted during follow-up. Both male and female patients demonstrated comparable CTC positivity. Conclusion The presence of CTCs in peripheral blood highlights active tumor cell dissemination from tumor thrombus margins. Although CTC clusters were infrequent, their occurrence may indicate an increased metastatic risk. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the presence of CTCs originating from tumor thrombus margins entering systemic circulation. Further studies are required to better understand their clinical implications. 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

RUPIKA reduces cancer worry when communicating CTC-based minimal residual disease results. Publications | 30 August 2026 Assessment of apprehension for Minimal Cellular Residual Disease Using Circulating Tumour Cells in Pre and Post Surgery Breast Cancer Patients A prospective study evaluates RUPIKA, a structured CTC-based MRD disclosure protocol, showing significantly reduced cancer worry among breast cancer patients after surgery compared with routine result communication. Introduction: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are increasingly used to assess minimal cellular residual disease (MCRD) in solid tumors. However, no standardized guidance exists for communicating MCRD results to patients, potentially leading to psychological distress and increased apprehension regarding residual disease after treatment, including surgery. We developed RUPIKA—Rapport, Understanding and Education, Preparation for Sample Collection, Inform Results, Kind Closure, and Advise for Follow-up—a structured communication protocol for sharing post-surgery outcomes with patients. We report an apprehension protocol for communicating MCRD outcomes in pre- and post-surgery breast cancer patients. Method: In an ongoing prospective interventional study (CTRI/2025/09/094661 and IEC SJNAHS 113/2025; St. John’s Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru, India), six oncology experts standardized the study using the ABC Content Validity Index (CVI) framework. Pre- and post-surgery, 22 patients with early-stage or in-situ stage I–III breast cancer were enrolled and equally assigned to routine disclosure (control, n=11) or RUPIKA-guided disclosure (intervention, n=11). A 1.5 mL blood sample was analyzed for CTCs (CK⁺/DAPI⁺/CD45⁻) and PD-L1 expression using the CDSCO-India-approved OncoDiscover immunomagnetic CTC platform. The six-step RUPIKA protocol included rapport building, understanding and education, preparation for sample collection, structured communication of CTC results, supportive closure, and follow-up planning. Cancer worry and apprehension were assessed before and after disclosure. The mean patient age was 52±12 years. Twenty-seven percent had early-stage/in-situ disease, with Luminal B representing the predominant molecular subtype. Most participants were from rural backgrounds, and none had prior awareness of MRD. Results: The protocol demonstrated high validity (CVI=0.98). CTCs persisted in a substantial proportion of patients (66.7%) after completion of chemotherapy and surgical intervention, suggesting the presence of MCRD. Before surgery, CTCs were detected in 83.3% of patients. After surgery, CTCs remained detectable in 66.7% of patients, while four patients became CTC-negative. Following surgery, cancer worry increased significantly in the control group (54.73±8.89; P=0.003), whereas it decreased significantly in the RUPIKA group (24.73±6.59; P<0.001). Between-group comparison showed significantly lower post-disclosure cancer worry among patients receiving RUPIKA-guided counselling compared with routine disclosure (t=8.992; P<0.001). Conclusion: This ongoing observational study demonstrates that RUPIKA—the first dedicated CTC-based MRD disclosure protocol—effectively mitigates cancer worry in breast cancer patients. Larger studies across diverse cancer cohorts are warranted. 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

Chemical tunability of advanced materials used in the fabrication of micro/nanobots Publications | 11 April 2023 Manuscript: Chemical tunability of advanced materials used in the fabrication of micro/nanobots Review on chemically tunable micro- and nanobots for targeted nanomedicine, highlighting AI materials, applications, and biosafety considerations. Micro and nanobots (MNBs) are unprecedented in their ability to be chemically tuned for autonomous tasks with enhanced targeting and functionality while maintaining their mobility. A myriad of chemical modifications involving a large variety of advanced materials has been demonstrated to be effective in the design of MNBs. Furthermore, they can be controlled for autonomous motion and for their ability to carry chemical or biological payloads. In addition, MNBs can be modified to achieve targetability with specificity for biological applications. However, MNBs, by virtue of their chemical compositions, may face limitations related to biocompatibility, tissue accumulation, poor biodegradability, and potential toxicity. This review presents a note on artificial intelligence materials (AIMs), their importance, and the dimensional scales at which intrinsic autonomy can be achieved for diverse applications. We briefly discuss the evolution of such systems with a focus on their advancements in nanomedicine. We highlight MNBs by covering their contemporary traits and the emergence of a few start-ups in specific areas. Furthermore, we showcase various examples demonstrating that chemical tunability is an attractive primary approach for designing MNBs with immense capabilities in both biology and chemistry. Finally, we discuss biosafety and ethical considerations in designing MNBs in the era of artificial intelligence for varied applications. 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

Combined ctDNA and CTC profiling correlates with PET-CT in cancer progression monitoring. Publications | 25 November 2024 ISLB 2024: Comprehensive Analysis of ctDNA and CTCs Reveals Resistance signatures and Correlations with PET Scan Outcomes in Cancer Patients Integrated ctDNA and CTC analysis correlates with PET-CT outcomes to reveal treatment resistance and aggressive cancer progression. Introduction Liquid biopsy offers real-time insights into tumor dynamics. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) stand out as promising biomarkers due to their potential to provide comprehensive information about tumor evolution, treatment response, and the emergence of resistance. Concordance between ctDNA, CTCs, and PET-CT scans holds immense promise in cancer management, including identifying treatment resistance and correlating with PET scan outcomes. Methods Retrospectively, 18 patients with progressive and/or metastatic disease undergoing treatment were monitored. Paired samples for ctDNA and CTCs were evaluated. NGS libraries were prepared using a hybridization-capture method based on the custom-designed OncoIndx 1080 CGP panel and deep sequenced on the Illumina NextSeq 2000 in paired-end mode (150 × 2). Variant calling was performed using the proprietary bioinformatics pipeline iCare. CTCs were isolated using the OncoDiscover platform possessing an anti-EpCAM antibody-based immunomagnetic system from 1.5 ml of blood. CTCs were confirmed with CK18+, PD-L1+, DAPI+, and CD45– markers. Results ctDNA analysis showed that every patient (100%, n = 18) had at least one actionable genomic finding. Among them, 44.44% (n = 8) had concurrent mutations in the BRCA1/2 and TP53 genes, and 87.5% (n = 7) of these patients also possessed detectable CTCs. A smaller subset, 11.11% (n = 2), showed driver mutations in the EGFR gene. The remaining patients exhibited mutations in genes including KRAS, PTEN, STK11, RB1, AR, KIT, MET, and CDKN2A. These molecular profiles correlated with treatment resistance and were consistent with PET scan results showing disease progression in 88.88% (n = 16) of patients. Only 11.11% (n = 2) of the cohort demonstrated therapeutic response in recent PET scans. Notably, the combination of BRCA1/2 and TP53 mutations, along with the presence of CTCs, was primarily observed in patients with advanced or metastatic aggressive disease. These co-occurring mutations were identified in ovarian, biliary duct, and breast cancers. Conclusions The concurrent presence of BRCA1/2 and TP53 mutations alongside CTCs suggests aggressive disease progression and metastasis across the patient group. Moreover, the molecular interplay between BRCA1/2 and TP53 mutations has been associated with resistance to PARP inhibitors. These findings emphasize the urgent need for longitudinal monitoring in patients with both BRCA1/2 and TP53 mutations coupled with CTC detection. 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

OncoDiscover Lab Walkthrough Expert Insight | 9 August 2022 OncoDiscover Lab Walkthrough OncoDiscover Lab Walkthrough 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

The deadliest cancer threat may be invisible — just one surviving cell can be enough to restart the disease journey - Dr Jayant Khandare Press Release | 24 May 2026 The Hidden Threat of a Single Cell: Dr. Jayant Khandare on How One Circulating Tumor Cell Can Restart the Cancer Journey The deadliest cancer threat may be invisible — just one surviving cell can be enough to restart the disease journey. It takes just one cell to restart the story. In a thought-provoking insight into cancer progression, Dr. Jayant Khandare, Co-founder of Actorius Innovations and a leading researcher in circulating tumor cells, asks a pivotal question: “Can a single cell restart the cancer journey?” 🔗 Read the featured articles: English Article: https://english.dainikjagranmpcg.com/education/6a1285a923ea1/article-19162 Hindi Article: https://www.dainikjagranmpcg.com/national-international/the-hidden-danger-of-a-single-cell-dr-jayant-khandare/article-54101 Explore more research publications: https://www.actorius.in/newsroom #Actorius #DrJayantKhandare #CancerResearch #OncologyInnovation #LiquidBiopsy #OncoDiscover #CancerDiagnostics #HealthcareInnovation #PrecisionMedicine #CTC #CancerAwareness #MedicalResearch #Biotechnology #EarlyDetection #CancerCare Read Article 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

ML models using CTCs predict surgery and adjuvant therapy success in HNSCC. Publications | 7 June 2022 ASCO 2022: Machine learning (ML)–enabled, circulating tumor cell–based classification of patients for non-prerequisite adjuvant therapy. An XGBoost ML model using CTCs and clinical data achieved 84% accuracy in predicting the need for adjuvant therapy in 380 HNSCC patients. Background Oncology implicates the highest precision using next-generation diagnostics and progressive therapies assisted by predictive tools. If validated clinically, machine learning (ML) can provide better insights in precision oncology. Furthermore, it may longitudinally stratify the progression of cancer disease burden in real time. We have developed a circulating tumor cells (CTCs) driven ML model as a predictor for the treatment decision strategy for both surgery and adjuvant therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Methods In this study, a total of 380 HNSCC patients who underwent either surgery alone or surgery plus adjuvant therapy were accounted for. CTCs in patients were stratified based on clinicopathological parameters and using the OncoDiscover platform having an anti-EpCAM antibody system regulated by the Drug Controller of India. Following this, we explored the predictive performance of the ML model on the usefulness of adjuvant therapy in HNSCC patients after the surgery. The available data was randomly divided into two subsets. First, 75% of the original data was applied for training the ML, and the rest 25% of the data was used as a test set. Survival curves were generated by the Kaplan–Meier method and calculated through the log-rank test. Results The XGBoost machine learning classifier was superior to Random Forest and SVM-based analyses in predicting the usefulness of adjuvant therapy post-surgery using CTCs alone or in combination with other clinical parameters in HNSCC patients. Machine learning algorithms were compared for predicting the accuracy of patient stratification. The results for each model were: XGBoost model (Accuracy = 0.84, ROC value = 0.73, Kappa = 0.43); Random Forest model (Accuracy = 0.81, ROC value = 0.70, Kappa = 0.41); SVM model (Accuracy = 0.76, ROC value = 0.69, Kappa = 0.40). The ROC value of the XGBoost model was highest (0.73), while the ROC value for the SVM model was lower (0.69). We observed that when CTCs were combined with clinicopathological parameters, the accuracy, kappa values, and AUC-ROC drastically improved in predicting the usefulness of adjuvant therapy post-surgery. A similar trend was observed when CTCs were combined with clinicopathological parameters in predicting the line of chemotherapy post-surgery. Conclusions ML-enabled, CTC-driven predictions can be highly accurate and ascertain the patient treatments. CTCs can be a positive predictor for selecting a patient’s treatment regimen in both surgery as well as in the type of treatment (e.g., surgery alone or surgery + adjuvant therapy). It can also be implicated to classify the patients and determine who necessitates additional adjuvant therapy. Further investigations in this direction are necessary to predict the treatment options based on ML that may improve the overall survival of cancer 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

TEDx Talk — by Aravindan Vasudevan – CEO, Actorius Innovations and Research Expert Insight | 28 February 2023 TEDx Talk — Capturing cancer cells-Uncovering secrets for treatments by Aravindan Vasudevan – CEO, Actorius Innovations Aravindan discusses innovative cancer research in early detection, precision medicine, tumor modeling, and liquid biopsy for advanced cancer insights. Describing cancer cell as the ‘Perfect Villain’ and focusing on how we could help eradicate its conception altogether, Aravindan talks about how they have successfully been able to research and develop various ways to detect early, decode cancer diversity with precision medicine, mimic the tumor microenvironment and liquid biopsy that helps find markers of cancer that has travelled through the bloodstream. Aravindan Vasudevan is the co-founder of Actorius Innovations and Research. At Actorius, Aravindan was part of the team which developed the OncoDiscover – Circulating Tumor Cell Technology, India’s first indigenously developed DCGi approved IVD technology. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. TEDx Talk Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/aravindan_vasudevan_capt Watch video 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