The POP device effectively removes CTCs from blood to reduce metastatic progression. Publications 15 July 2020 ASCO 2020: Device for the enumeration and continuous removal of circulating tumor cells in improving overall survival of epithelial cancer patients The POP blood fluidic device safely removes CTCs with up to 100% efficiency, offering a new therapeutic path to reduce metastasis and improve survival. 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. 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

Dr. Jayant Khandare Cofounder, MD & CSO Actorius Innovations and Research Pvt. Ltd. Dr. Jayant Khandare Cofounder, MD & CSO LinkedIn Qualification Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm.) University of Mumbai | 1995 Ph.D. (Chemical Engineering) National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune | 2003 Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Experienced Researcher. Humboldt Foundation, Germany | 2008 Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC). Royal Society of Chemistry, UK | 2014 25+ US Patents, 100+ Peer Reviewed Scientific Articles Postdoctoral stints at Wayne State University (USA), Rutgers University (USA) and Freie Universität Berlin (Germany) in the area of targeted drug delivery for cancer. Research interests at the interface of macromolecular chemistry, biopolymer sciences, cancer biology, and cellular imaging. Professional Summary Dr. Jayant J. Khandare is a globally recognized cancer innovator and entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience at the intersection of chemical engineering, biomaterials, cancer biology, and translational oncology . He is the scientific architect behind multiple breakthrough platforms spanning cancer diagnostics, circulating tumor cell (CTC) technologies, and therapeutic intervention systems , many of which have progressed from concept to clinical and commercial validation. Dr. Khandare has authored over 150+ peer-reviewed scientific publications and is a named inventor on 25+ U.S. patents , reflecting a sustained track record of converting deep science into protectable, scalable intellectual property. His innovations form the foundation of several clinically relevant oncology platforms, including OncoDiscover® (CTC detection and enumeration) and OncoMetastat® (extracorporeal CTC filtration for metastasis mitigation) —technologies designed to address the most critical unmet need in cancer: the prevention and control of metastasis . Internationally trained, Dr. Khandare has held advanced research appointments in the United States and Germany , including postdoctoral work at Wayne State University , Rutgers University , and Freie Universität Berlin , with a strong focus on targeted drug delivery, macromolecular therapeutics, and cancer cell–material interactions . He is an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Experienced Researcher and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK) , honors reserved for scientists with sustained international impact. As a scientific founder and operator, Dr. Khandare brings a rare combination of visionary platform thinking and execution discipline . He has successfully built technologies across the full innovation lifecycle—from fundamental materials science and device engineering to translational studies, regulatory pathways, and clinical adoption . Under his leadership, Actorius’ platforms have generated extensive clinical evidence, international publications (ASCO, AACR, ESMO, ISLB), and a growing global IP estate. Dr. Khandare’s entrepreneurial mission is clear and consistent: to create first-in-class technologies that redefine how cancer is detected, monitored, and treated , with a particular focus on systemic disease biology rather than organ-limited paradigms. His work positions Actorius at the forefront of a new category in oncology—interventional cancer diagnostics and therapeutics . Want to be a part of this dynamic team? Visit our Careers section to explore current opportunities that match your interests and expertise. Apply Now

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

Rick Kamble Cofounder & Director Actorius Innovations and Research Pvt. Ltd. Rick Kamble Cofounder & Director LinkedIn Qualification Master of Business Administration University of Phoenix, US Bachelor of Engineering Nagpur University, India Professional Summary Rick is an early investor in Actorius Innovations and Research (AIR) and chairman of the board. He is a serial entrepreneur based our of Los Angeles, US with expertise in Healthcare and Information Technology solutions. Rick is also the CEO and President of HealthNspire solutions, a HealthCare Technology solution provider focused on managed care software solutions. He is also the co-founder and CTO of Mediccio, a company dedicated to provide healthcare billing solutions using NLP. In the past, Rick has served as Senior VP of Product Strategies at AssistMed, a company dedicated to the application of Healthcare IT solutions. He has held leadership positions at Lakeside Medical Group, Jacobs Engineering, Farmers Insurance, L.A. CARE Health Plan, Cardinal Health, Countrywide Home Lo Want to be a part of this dynamic team? Visit our Careers section to explore current opportunities that match your interests and expertise. Apply Now

Cellulose-based transferrin nanocages for CTC enumeration in head & neck cancer. Publications 10 October 2020 Manuscript: Cellulose Mediated Transferrin Nanocages for Enumeration of Circulating Tumor Cells for Head and Neck Cancer Magnetic transferrin-functionalized cellulose nanocages capture circulating tumor cells from blood, enabling liquid biopsy for early metastasis detection in head and neck cancer. Herein, we report a hierarchically organized, water-dispersible “nanocage” composed of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), magnetically powered by iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles to capture circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the blood of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Capturing CTCs from peripheral blood is extremely challenging due to their low abundance, yet their enumeration is clinically validated in assessing progression-free survival in HNC patients. By engaging multiple hydroxyl groups along the molecular backbone of CNCs, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were coordinated onto the CNC scaffold. This structure was further modified through conjugation with the protein transferrin (Tf) to enable targeted capture of CTCs. Owing to the presence of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, the nanocages exhibited magnetic properties, allowing CTCs to be captured under the influence of a magnetic field. Tf–CNC-based nanocages were evaluated using blood samples from HNC patients and their CTC capturing efficiency was compared with the clinically relevant Oncoviu platform. The results demonstrated that CNC-derived nanocages efficiently isolated CTCs from patient blood, achieving approximately 85% capture efficiency relative to the standard platform. The capture efficiency was found to vary depending on the concentration of transferrin and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles immobilized onto the CNC scaffold. We envision that the Tf–CNC platform holds significant potential in liquid biopsy applications for the isolation and enumeration of CTCs, enabling early detection of metastasis in cancer. 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

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

Preoperative CTC levels predict prognosis and survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Publications 1 July 2022 Manuscript: Circulating tumor cells as a predictor for poor prognostic factors and overall survival in treatment nay¨ve oral squamous cell carcinoma patients Preoperative circulating tumor cell levels strongly correlate with metastasis, disease severity, and reduced survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and their correlation with prognostic factors and clinical outcomes in treatment-naive patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Study design: CTCs were isolated using the OncoDiscover technique from presurgically obtained peripheral blood of 152 patients with treatment-naive oral squamous cell carcinoma. Sensitivity analysis was performed by including 40 healthy controls. CTC cutoff values for clinicopathologic factors were obtained from receiver operating characteristic curves. Multivariate models determined the significance of CTCs as independent variables. Kaplan–Meier analysis differentiated overall survival based on CTC values corresponding to disease stage. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CTC detection were 94.32%, 98%, and 95.17%, respectively. The platform differentiated true positives at >3.5 CTCs (P < .00001). CTC counts above 20.5 were suggestive of nodal metastasis (P < .0001), with a linear trend for detecting occult metastasis (P = .061). Early and advanced stages could be differentiated by >13.5 CTCs (P < .0001). Elevated CTC levels were significantly associated with extranodal extension (>21.45 CTCs, P = .025), perineural invasion (>19.35 CTCs, P = .049), and depth of invasion (>12.5 CTCs, P = .0038). Median survival was reduced by 19 months when CTC levels were >13. Conclusions: Preoperative CTC levels demonstrated a strong correlation with adverse clinicopathologic factors and suggested their role as a sensitive prognostic marker for predicting survival outcomes and disease progression. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2022;134:73–83) 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

Large study shows CTCs and clusters predict aggressive epithelial cancer progression. Publications 10 April 2024 AACR 2024: Distribution prophecy of circulating tumor cell clusters in CTC populace patients of epithelial cancers Large-scale analysis of circulating tumor cells and clusters reveals their role in predicting aggressive epithelial cancers and treatment resistance. Background: The role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in metastatic cancers for predicting overall survival has been well established. The effectiveness of three- or six-month adjuvant therapy in colorectal cancer estimation has shown an association between CTCs and the emergence of resistant cell clones. The presence of CTC clusters indicates increased aggressiveness in epithelial cancers. However, the presence of CTC clusters has not been evaluated in large patient populations. Here, we demonstrate the distribution and prognostic significance of CTCs and CTC clusters in epithelial cancer patients. Methods: Retrospectively, blood samples from 3458 patients were analyzed for the presence and distribution of CTCs and CTC clusters using the DCGI-approved OncoDiscover platform, which uses an immunomagnetic multicomponent system mediated by an anti-EpCAM antibody. A total of 1.5 mL of peripheral blood was analyzed to capture cells and clusters from head and neck, breast, and lung cancer patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the OncoDiscover assay had been previously established. CTCs and clusters were identified using CK18 positive, DAPI positive, and CD45 negative staining with automated motorized fluorescence microscopy. CTC clusters were defined as the presence of two or more CTCs bound together. Results: Out of 3458 epithelial cancer patients, 65.52% (2262 patients) showed the presence of CTCs, with CTC numbers varying from 1–9 per 1.5 mL of blood. Meanwhile, 7.54% of patients showed CTC clusters, corresponding to 261 clusters. The total number of captured CTCs and clusters was 19,345, with a mean distribution of 5.59. Among these, CTCs accounted for 19,037 (98.41%), while clusters accounted for 308 (1.59%). The highest number of CTCs was observed in head and neck cancers (52.98%) and breast cancers (22.75%), followed by lung cancer (5.65%). In contrast, clusters were most frequently observed in breast cancers (26.95%), followed by lung cancer (16.23%). Conclusions: The frequency and distribution of CTCs and CTC clusters were evaluated in epithelial cancers. Patients with CTCs alone and those with both CTCs and CTC clusters represent a more aggressive disease state and a higher likelihood of disease progression. The effectiveness of adjuvant therapy in epithelial cancers may be estimated using CTC and cluster analysis, as their presence may indicate treatment resistance and the emergence of resistant cell clones. 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

AI-based image analysis rapidly profiles CTC morphology and biomarker expression. Publications 16 September 2025 Profiling of PD-L1 and HER2 over expression on cancer cells using AI based macro-driven automation AI-based image analysis rapidly profiles circulating tumor cells, quantifying morphology and biomarkers like PD-L1 and HER2 for cancer research. Abstract Background Extravasation, invasion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions, metastasis progression, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance are driven by phenotypic alterations in cancer cells. Assessing cell morphology, stiffness, and deformability is therefore crucial. The expression of PD-L1, HER2, EGFR, and cytokeratins (CKs) serves as key phenotypic biomarkers for precision oncology. We developed an AI-based image analysis tool that rapidly captures these transitions in cell assays, including specific protein biomarkers expressed on circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Methods We extended an ImageJ macro to enable rapid and reproducible extraction of biophysical parameters. The macro processes .lif, .nd2, and .czi file formats, using DAPI for nuclear segmentation and fluorophore-conjugated antibodies to delineate cytoplasmic boundaries. We evaluated automatic channel detection, intensity normalization, Otsu thresholding, and per-cell quantification of parameters such as surface area, circularity index (CI), and mean fluorescence intensity. Violin plots illustrated temporal variations in CI across A549 and MCF7 cells. Validation was conducted on CTCs isolated from cancer patient samples (n = 100) for PD-L1 and HER2 expression. Results The macro reduced image processing time from 7 minutes to 3 seconds per sample. A549 cells showed higher and more consistent CI values across all time points, while MCF7 cells demonstrated lower CI with greater variability, particularly at 24 and 72 hours. Quantitative measurements of PD-L1 and HER2 expression showed 100% concordance between the ImageJ macro and Zeiss software outputs, confirming analytical accuracy. CK18 intensity (~60–400) and PD-L1 (~20–50) levels measured by both platforms validated the macro’s ability to detect a wide range of marker expression in CTC subsets. CTCs exhibited higher CI values and greater morphological heterogeneity, consistent with their invasive phenotype. Conclusions We present an AI-driven macro that quantifies the biophysical characteristics of cancer cells, enabling precise phenotypic profiling, including circularity index, proliferation rates, and overexpression of biomarkers such as PD-L1 and HER2 in both cultured cell lines and patient-derived CTCs. 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

CTCs as biomarkers for relapse detection in rectal cancer with liver metastasis. Publications 29 June 2024 Manuscript: Circulating Tumor Cells as Biomarkers for Relapse Detection in Rectal Cancer with Liver Metastasis: Insights from a Case Report In this case report we demonstrate the utility of CTC as a sensitive marker to detect MRD. CTCs play a crucial role in the context of MRD in colorectal cancer, offering a valuable biomarker for prognosis, treatment monitoring, and early detection of recurrence. A 70-year-old female diagnosed case of rectal carcinoma (T3N2M0) received FOLFOX × 2 cycles followed by CAPOX × 2 cycles. She then underwent chemoradiation using capecitabine as a radiosensitiser, followed by laparoscopic tumor resection. The histopathology report showed tumour regression grade 2 (TRG2) response. Subsequently, the patient received 4 cycles of CAPOX but developed grade 2 peripheral neuropathy, leading to modification of her treatment to capecitabine alone for an additional 2 cycles. A whole-body positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) scan at this stage showed no evidence of disease. However, a liquid biopsy test detected the presence of two circulating tumor cells (CTCs). An MRI of the abdomen and pelvis was conducted, revealing multiple live lesions (4 mm–6 mm) in segment IV/VIII of the liver, with no sign of local disease. To manage liver metastasis, the patient received 1 cycle of FOLFIRI while awaiting selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT), followed by 5 cycles of FOLFIRI. Three years later, her PET scans were observed to be completely normal. This case highlights the critical role of CTCs as a biomarker for detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) or relapse. Without CTC monitoring, the liver metastasis—which was successfully treated with SIRT—would likely have been missed under standard cancer care guidelines. As of today, the patient is completely disease-free, underscoring the importance of thorough investigation using advanced CTC liquid biopsy biomarkers in managing rectal cancer with liver metastasis. 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

डॉ. जयंत खंदारे के नेतृत्व में कैंसर पहचान और मेटास्टेसिस नियंत्रण में नई पहल. Press Release 14 March 2026 डॉ. जयंत खंदारे के नेतृत्व में एक्टोरियस इनोवेशन्स ऍंड रिसर्च प्राइवेट लिमिटेड करेगी कैंसर की पहचान और मेटास्टेसिस नियंत्रण में नई क्रांतिकारी पहल एक्टोरियस इनोवेशन्स ऍंड रिसर्च प्राइवेट लिमिटेड, एक अग्रणी भारत-अमेरिकी जैव-प्रौद्योगिकी कंपनी है जो आधुनिक सर्कुलेटिंग टयूमर सेल्स (CTC) तकनीकों के माध्यम से ऑन्कोलॉजी के क्षेत्र में परिवर्तन ला रही है। कंपनी के संस्थापक, प्रबंध निदेशक और मुख्य वैज्ञानिक अधिकारी डॉ. जयंत खंदारे के दूरदर्शी नेतृत्व में कंपनी यह उल्लेखनीय प्रगति कर रही है। पूरी कहानी पढ़ने के लिए नीचे दिए गए लिंक पर क्लिक करें। 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-based PD-L1 and EGFR detection supports targeted therapy in lung cancer. Publications 24 October 2023 ESMO 2023: Expression of PD-L1 and EGFR on circulating tumor cells in advanced Lung cancer patients CTC analysis using OncoDiscover® enables dynamic detection of PD-L1 and EGFR targets in advanced lung cancer, supporting personalized targeted and immunotherapy decisions. Background: Targeted molecular therapy and immunotherapy have revolutionized the treatment of advanced lung cancer (ALC). Although therapeutically significant, the outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) depends on the presence of their respective targets in tumor cells. Evaluating targets based on solid tissue biopsy may often be misleading, particularly in progressive patients despite therapy administration. Additionally, tissue biopsy provides a static signature of target protein expression from an evolving tumor. The unmet need for dynamic detection and monitoring of actionable targets could be addressed by circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Here, we report on the utility of CTCs to detect actionable targets in advanced lung cancer (ALC) patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 193 ALC patients for programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and EGFR expression on CTCs. CTCs were isolated using the Drug Controller General of India-approved OncoDiscover technology based on immunomagnetic targeting using anti-EpCAM antibodies and immunostaining with anti-EGFR and PD-L1 antibodies. CTCs were detected based on the expression of cytokeratins (CKs), absence of CD45, and prominent DAPI-stained nuclei. The presence or absence of EGFR and PD-L1 was determined using automated immunofluorescence microscopy. Results: Among the evaluated cohort, 67% of patients showed the presence of CTCs with a mean value of 4.2 (range: 1 to 62; SD = 10.65). The absence of CTCs in the remaining 33% of patients could be attributed to therapy response in clinically stable disease. Among all patients showing the presence of CTCs, 66% showed detectable expression of PD-L1, while 42% showed strong expression of EGFR. The presence of PD-L1 demonstrated a significant association with CTCs. Similarly, the expression of EGFR among detected CTCs showed high significance compared to reported tissue biopsy data in the literature. Conclusions: Detection of therapeutic targets on CTCs obtained from advanced lung cancer patients strongly indicates that these patients may qualify for anti-EGFR and PD-L1 targeted therapies. Systematic studies with larger sample sizes are required to further strengthen liquid biopsy–based detection of actionable targets. This approach could significantly benefit advanced lung cancer patients showing progressive disease despite chemotherapy or radiotherapy. 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