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Magneto-polymeric nanosystems for rapid CTC targeting, detection & imaging. Patents 22 April 2021 Multifunctional magneto-polymeric nanosystems for rapid targeting, isolation, detection and simultaneous imaging of circulating tumor cells A multifunctional magneto-polymeric nanosystem for rapid targeting, isolation, detection, and imaging of circulating tumor cells to support cancer diagnostics and monitoring. Patent Details Related patent documents CA2976614 TH175113 WO/2016/132265 EP3259598 ES2828025 PL3259598 US20230408525 Granted Canadian, European and Indian Patent Actorius Innovations and Research Pvt. Ltd. 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

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

PD-L1 on CTCs and ctDNA enables real-time monitoring of breast cancer progression. Publications 3 June 2025 PD-L1 expression on circulating tumor cells and CTC clusters as a minimal cellular disease in breast cancer patients. This breast cancer study shows high prevalence of PD-L1–positive circulating tumor cells, supporting their role in minimal residual disease and metastasis risk. Background Tumor-derived components, such as dual biomarkers including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), provide comprehensive real-time insights into the tumor microenvironment. Minimal cellular residual disease (MCRD), dynamic cell surface protein overexpression, residual tumor burden after curative-intent resection, and decisions regarding adjunct therapy or therapy de-escalation are critical aspects of patient management. Similar to the PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) in tissue samples, PD-L1 expression on CTCs represents a promising dynamic biomarker, particularly in the context of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT may contribute to immune evasion by deactivating T cells, thereby facilitating micro-metastatic progression, which remains challenging to detect and manage. In this study, we report PD-L1 expression as a dynamic biomarker on circulating tumor cells across early- to late-stage breast cancer patients. Methods In this retrospective analysis, peripheral blood samples from 1,294 breast cancer patients were evaluated for the presence of CTCs, PD-L1 expression on CTCs, and CTC clusters. CTCs were enumerated using the OncoDiscover platform, approved by CDSCO-India, from 1.5 mL of peripheral blood. The system consists of a multi-component magneto-nanosystem mediated by anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies. CTCs were identified based on EpCAM⁺, CK18⁺, DAPI⁺, and CD45⁻ markers. PD-L1 expression on CTCs was quantified using linear intensity gradients of fluorescence signals acquired through an automated Zeiss microscope. Additionally, a computational model was developed to evaluate mean CTC distribution, perform regression analysis, and assess CTC predictability. Results CTC counts ranged from 1 to 20 per 1.5 mL of blood. At baseline analysis, 73.20% (n = 978) of patients had ≥1 CTC. Among patients with detectable CTCs, 87.69% (n = 406 of 463) exhibited PD-L1 expression. The highest proportion of total CTCs (~21.61%, n = 1,125) was observed in the 41–50-year age group. The highest frequency of CTC clusters (~29.08%, n = 41) and PD-L1–positive CTCs (~42.91%, n = 324) was observed in the 51–60-year age group. CTC clusters were detected in 2.71% (n = 141) of total patients. The mean CTC count (including clusters) was 3.90, while the mean PD-L1–positive CTC count was 3.40. The computational model demonstrated a correlation between blood-based outcomes and normal probability scores. Conclusions The observed inter-patient heterogeneity suggests potential biological and pharmacodynamic relevance of both CTCs and PD-L1 expression. Larger clinical studies are warranted to further evaluate PD-L1 expression on CTCs, particularly in early-stage cancers. Patients with minimal cellular residual disease, despite the absence of radiographic evidence, may represent a higher-risk group for metastasis progression and may benefit from enhanced stratification strategies. 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

TEDx Talk — by Aravindan Vasudevan – CEO, Actorius Innovations and Research Expert Insights 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

CTC and PD-L1 profiling across cancers supports monitoring, recurrence detection, and MRD. Publications 3 June 2025 Comparative analysis of circulating tumor cell distribution with PD-L1 expression in baseline and follow ups patients across cancer types. This multi-cancer study shows CTC and PD-L1 prevalence across Indian patients, supporting minimal residual disease monitoring and personalized cancer care. Background India presents a diverse genetic pool with varying cancer incidence patterns. Common cancers in the Indian population include head and neck, lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, ovarian, and gastrointestinal cancers. Understanding the distribution of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) across these cancers may help account for cellular minimal residual disease (MRD) and early recurrence in solid tumors. Surgery with curative intent can be further evaluated for residual disease using dual biomarkers such as ctDNA and CTCs. Methods In this retrospective analysis, peripheral blood samples from 5,935 patients across various cancer types—including head and neck, lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, ovarian, and gastrointestinal cancers—were evaluated for the presence of CTCs, with and without PD-L1 overexpression and CTC clusters. CTCs were detected using the OncoDiscover platform approved by CDSCO in 1.5 mL of peripheral blood. The platform utilizes a multifunctional magneto-nanosystem mediated by anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies. CTCs were confirmed as EpCAM⁺, CK18⁺, DAPI⁺, and CD45⁻ cells. PD-L1 expression on CTCs was analyzed using linear fluorescence intensity gradients acquired through an automated Zeiss microscope. Additionally, a computational model was developed to evaluate CTC frequency, mean distribution, regression analysis, and normal probability plots to assess predictability across cancer types, age groups, stages, and genders. Results The study included 5,935 patient blood samples, comprising 90.07% baseline and 9.92% follow-up samples. CTC counts ranged from 1 to 10 per 1.5 mL of blood, with a mean value of 1.12. Among the patients, 69.87% (n = 2,854) demonstrated PD-L1 expression on their CTCs, with a mean value of 0.99. The 51–60-year age group exhibited the highest proportion of both total CTCs (19.16%, n = 1,137) and PD-L1–positive CTCs (19.71%, n = 805). Most CTC clusters were identified in breast, colorectal, and endometrial cancers. Pancreatic cancer patients showed the highest mean CTC count (1.4), whereas laryngeal cancer samples had the lowest mean count (0.78). The computational model indicated that the 51–60-year age group had the highest impact on cancer prevalence and mean CTC distribution. The model also demonstrated a strong correlation between blood-based outcomes and normal probability scores. Conclusions Higher CTC counts were strongly associated with advanced disease stages, particularly in cancers prone to hematogenous spread, such as breast, lung, and prostate cancers. Incorporating CTC profiling from baseline into diagnostic and surveillance strategies may enhance personalized cancer management. The presence of CTCs in disease-free survival (DFS) settings suggests potential links to poor therapeutic response, disease progression, and minimal residual disease. 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

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

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

OncoDiscover Lab Walkthrough Expert Insights 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

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

Single CTC genomics reveals mutations and therapy resistance beyond ctDNA in CRC. Publications 17 September 2024 ESMO 2024: True single-circulating tumor cell genomics reveals enriched therapy-resistance signatures in advanced colorectal cancer patients Single CTC genomics reveals actionable mutations and therapy resistance signatures not detected in paired ctDNA in advanced colorectal cancer. Background Plasma ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA) has emerged as a novel biomarker for detecting genomic alterations and for longitudinal monitoring of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. However, nearly 30% of patients show no mutations detected, potentially missing opportunities for companion therapy. Single circulating tumor cell (sCTC) genomics can provide greater sensitivity in detecting actionable targets. We report comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of live sCTCs and paired ctDNA from an advanced CRC patient population. Methods Retrospectively, live sCTCs and CTC clusters were isolated from six patients with stage IV CRC using OncoRADAR technology. Whole genomes of sCTCs were amplified and target-enriched using hybridization capture with OncoIndx, a comprehensive 1080-gene panel, to generate sequencing libraries. These libraries were sequenced on the Illumina NextSeq 2000 platform in paired-end mode with a sequencing depth of 500×. Raw sequence alignment and variant calling were performed using iCare software. Paired ctDNA samples were processed similarly but sequenced at a higher depth of 5500×. Results A total of 22 sCTCs were isolated, including four CTC clusters. The combined mutational landscape revealed 142 clinically relevant mutations, including 65 missense (45.77%), 25 nonsense (17.61%), 16 frameshift (11.27%), 7 indels (4.93%), 10 splice variants (7.04%), and 19 structural variants (13.38%). NRAS was the most frequently mutated gene, occurring in 52% of samples, followed by SMO (47.6%), TAP1 (42.85%), and TP53 (42.5%). In paired ctDNA samples, TP53 (66%), KRAS (50%), and TAP1 (33.33%) were the most frequently mutated genes. At the individual gene level, a 40% concordance was observed between sCTC and ctDNA. The genomic profile of sCTCs was particularly enriched with mutations in proliferative and stemness-maintenance signaling pathways, including NRAS:p.A146T and SMO:p.V392G, suggesting potential therapy evasion mechanisms. CTCs also showed a higher accumulation of immunotherapy resistance signatures, including loss-of-function mutations in STK11 and STAT5B, which were not detected in paired ctDNA samples. Conclusions The genomic profile of sCTCs exhibited enriched mutations in proliferative and stemness-maintenance signaling pathways. Therapy resistance signatures were more prevalent in sCTCs compared to ctDNA and may provide important clinical insights, particularly for patients who cannot provide tissue biopsy samples or show negative ctDNA results. 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

Preventing Stage 4 Cancer: India’s Revolutionary Blood Test | Dr. Nirmal Raut Expert Insights 9 August 2022 Preventing Stage 4 Cancer: India’s Revolutionary Blood Test | Dr. Nirmal Raut Leading oncologists discuss OncoDiscover, India's first indigenous CTC blood test. By detecting Circulating Tumor Cells post-treatment, this affordable "Made in India" innovation catches cancer relapse before it reaches incurable Stage 4, dramatically changing the landscape of cancer care. Cancer metastasis (Stage 4) is the deadliest and often incurable phase of the disease. While mass screening the entire population is practically impossible, preventing early-stage cancers from progressing is now a reality thanks to OncoDiscover. In this video, leading experts—Dr. Jayant Khandare, Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi (Director, ACTREC), and Dr. Nirmal Raut (Sr. Medical Oncologist)—explain the life-saving impact of India's first indigenous medical device for detecting Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs). Because CTCs evade traditional CT and MRI scans, this simple and highly affordable blood draw is used post-surgery or radiation to detect minimal residual disease. If CTCs are detected, oncologists can intervene with curative treatments before the disease reaches Stage 4. Clinically validated at Tata Memorial Hospital and approved by the Drug Controller General of India, this "Made in India" breakthrough drastically reduces patient costs while offering immense hope to families worldwide. 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

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