CTC profiling of PD-L1, HER2, and EGFR guides targeted cancer therapies. Publications 19 April 2023 AACR 2023: Detection of PD-L1, HER2 and EGFR on circulating tumor cells in carcinoma patients. CTC analysis in 134 patients successfully detected PD-L1, HER2, and EGFR, proving its value as a real-time guide for targeted therapies. Background Small molecular inhibitors and immunotherapy have emerged as a novel alternative treatment regime for a variety of epithelial cancers. A large number of clinical trials are in progress worldwide to gauge the efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) against actionable targets such as receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and program death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Although highly effective, the outcome of PD-L1 based ICI or TKI against RTKs is vitally contingent on the presence of PD-L1 or RTK expression on cancer cells. Determining druggable targets on the basis of solid biopsy could be often misleading, especially if a patient has progressed in spite of chemotherapy. This could be due to the intrinsic heterogeneity of tumor cells or therapeutic selection pressure or both, leading to alteration in the expression profile of the targets. Additionally, the immunohistochemistry result depends on a multitude of quality controls such as age and integrity of a biopsy sample, lab-to-lab variations in tissue block preparation, and degradation of targets due to chemical fixation methods. This unmet need of reliable detection and monitoring of actionable target expression could be addressed by circulating tumor cells (CTCs) based liquid biopsy tests. To this end, we have developed a CTC-based liquid biopsy assay to detect PD-L1, HER2, and EGFR expression in different epithelial cancers. Methods We retrospectively evaluated peripheral blood samples from a total of 134 carcinoma patients for the presence of CTCs expressing PD-L1, HER2, or EGFR markers respectively. Among these, 45% of patients had lung cancer, while 25% and 20% presented with breast, GI, and colorectal (CRC) malignancies. The remaining were gall bladder, ovarian, prostate, and head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. All lung cancer patients were analyzed for CTCs expressing PD-L1. CTCs were isolated from DCGI-approved OncoDiscover technology based on immunomagnetic targeting of epithelial cell surface molecules (EpCAM). EpCAM-targeted, magnetically isolated cells were considered CTCs on the basis of expression of cytokeratins, absence of CD45, and prominent presence of DAPI-stained nuclei. The presence or absence of aforesaid markers was determined using automated fluorescence imaging. Expression of PD-L1, HER2, or EGFR was detected by fluorescence microscopy using fluorescently labeled anti-PD-L1, HER2, or EGFR antibodies respectively. Based on fluorescence intensity, CTCs were binned as PD-L1, HER2, or EGFR negative for no detectable fluorescence signal, or weakly or strongly positive based on low or high fluorescence signal. Results Among the evaluated cohort, 51% of all CTCs showed the presence of PD-L1 expression, while 63% showed HER2-positive CTCs (all from breast cancer patients). 20% from the PD-L1 positive population showed strong PD-L1 expression. 78% of CTCs from lung cancer patients showed the presence of a detectable PD-L1 signal, while 66% of breast, GI, and CRC patients showed CTCs with PD-L1 expression. CTCs from HNC and gall bladder cancer patients showed the least PD-L1 expression (25% and 50% respectively). Among CTCs originating from different cancer types, breast cancer CTCs showed higher mean expression of PD-L1 compared to CTCs from colorectal cancer patients. A clear subset of CTCs for PD-L1 and HER2 expression was observed in lung and breast cancer patients respectively, suggesting heterogeneity in expression or the presence of different subclones within the same tumor type. Among all CTCs evaluated for EGFR expression, 50% showed the presence of detectable EGFR compared to the cut-off value. Conclusions CTCs isolated from cancers of epithelial origin showed the presence of PD-L1. Similarly, CTCs obtained from breast and lung cancer patients showed HER2 and EGFR expression respectively. Our data suggest that CTCs can be used as a real-time surrogate for molecular profiling of PD-L1, HER2, and EGFR expression, besides being a prognostic marker. Detection of PD-L1, HER2, and EGFR in CTCs offers a potential and viable alternative for immunotherapy or targeted therapy decisions in a vast majority of epithelial cancers. 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 monitoring detects early HNSCC in chronic tobacco users in Bangladesh. Publications 8 June 2021 ASCO 2021: CTCs demonstrate a positive biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in tobacco consuming population of Bangladesh. A study in Bangladesh found CTCs in 64% of HNSCC patients with chronic tobacco history, suggesting CTCs as a screening tool for early cancer detection. Background Tobacco consumption accounts for 1.6 million deaths annually in the South East Asia Region (SEAR). Notably, amongst the 10-20% of the global population consuming betel quid and tobacco, about an 81% concentration is in SEAR regions, including India and Bangladesh. The prevalence of HNSCC in these regions is rising alarmingly. For example, HNCs account for 23% of the total 156,775 cancer incidences in Bangladesh. Liquid biopsy tools are unavailable and expensive for most patients in this region. However, early cancer detection using tumor biomarkers, for example, circulating tumor cells (CTCs), is highly implicated. Furthermore, such biomarkers are being validated and have the potential for screening high-risk patients, such as those with a genetic predisposition or tobacco consumption. We report the first observational study in HNSCC patients in Bangladesh correlating the presence of CTCs to chronic tobacco consumption. Methods The study involved 70 cancer patients and 10 healthy volunteers (no prior cancer history). 87% of the patients had a specified history of chronic tobacco consumption. CTCs were isolated in 1.5 ml of blood using the OncoDiscover Liquid Biopsy Test, which is clinically approved by the Drug Controller General of India, and contains an enriching anti-EPCAM antibody immunomagnetic kit. CTCs are qualified as CK18+, DAPI+, and CD45-. Subsequently, CTCs were imaged using a Zeiss Axio Observer 7 and quantified for Mean Fluorescence Intensity (MFI) for clinicopathological parameters: age/gender, HNSCC sub-population, and CTC distribution. Results This is the 1st study on the Bangladesh phenotype accounting for the presence of CTCs in HNSCC patients. In this population, 34 males (66%) and 10 females (52%) accounted for 91 CTCs. CTC distribution was 0 to 6 with a mean and median of ~ 2.02 and 2, respectively. 25 patients (17 males, 8 females) were negative for any CTCs. Interestingly, 2 patients exhibited CTC clusters indicative of aggressive metastasis, in which 1 patient had no prior tobacco usage or family cancer history. There was no correlation between CTC presence in males (66%) and females (52%). Healthy volunteer samples exhibited no false positives. The MFI values ranged between 23 and 766, with mean and median MFI values of 157 and 96, respectively, indicative of CK overexpression on CTCs of HNSCC patients. Conclusions HNSCC patients with a history of chronic tobacco consumption in Bangladesh correlated with the presence of CTCs in 64% of the cases. Prospectively, CTCs may be validated as a biomarker for screening chronic tobacco users in Bangladesh to detect early cancers and HNSCC. Clinical Trial Information BMRC/Grants/2018/99 (1-100). 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 at ISMRC 2025 Events 9 May 2025 ISMRC 2025 | 7-9 May, 2025 Actorius at ISMRC 2025 Dr. Jayant Khandare with Dr. Catherine Alix-Panabières , PhD Dr ( Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Montpellier, Director of the Laboratory Rare Circulating Human Cells (LCCRH) à l'Université et CHU de Montpellier) 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

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

Ayurveda therapy reduces CTC counts and improves quality of life in cancer patients. Publications 7 June 2022 ASCO 2022: Correlation of circulating tumor cells as a positive interventional biomarker in cancer patients Ayurveda therapy significantly reduced CTC counts and improved quality of life in a study of 72 patients across 17 cancer types. Background Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a predictive biomarker for accounting for disease progression and for minimal residual disease (MRD). The effect of conventional anticancer therapy on CTC count is well documented; however, there is a paucity of data related to the effect of CAM-based modalities on CTC count in cancer patients. This study provides a preliminary observation about the effect of Ayurveda therapy on CTC count. Methods The retrospective study involved the stratification of 72 cancer patients undergoing cancer and maintenance treatment in a non-conventional, Ayurveda cancer treatment center in India. For monitoring of prognosis in cancer patients, CTC count was assessed in patients attending the Rasayu Cancer Clinic. Seventeen cancer types were included, namely, breast cancer, cervix and ovarian cancer, bladder, lung, head and neck squamous carcinoma, follicular thyroid, diffuse B-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s, colorectal, hepatocellular, stomach with abdominal metastasis, metastatic prostate cancer, SCC with lung and skeletal metastasis, etc. A total of 33 (46%) male and 39 (54.1%) female patients of various types and stages were analyzed for the presence of CTCs retrospectively. CTCs were isolated and enumerated from 1.5 ml of the patient’s blood sample using the OncoDiscover Liquid Biopsy Technology platform enriched with an anti-EpCAM antibody immunomagnetic kit, approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). CTCs were confirmed for cytokeratin 18+ (CK18), DAPI+, and CD45-. Subsequently, CTCs were imaged using a Zeiss Axio Observer 7 fluorescence microscope. In 28 patients (50%), CTCs were accounted for at both pre- and post-treatment over a duration of 3-6 months. Twenty-eight patients were assessed for quality of life measured by the FACT-G questionnaire. The outcome was quantified for clinicopathological parameters: age/gender, cancer types, and CTC distribution. Results The mean and median CTC distribution was observed to be 15.34 and 12.5, respectively. Eight percent of patients showed the absence of any CTCs (6 subjects: 1 male and 5 females), while 32 males (96%) and 34 females (87%) showed the presence of CTCs. The correlation coefficient of CTC presence in males and females was significant at 0.4799 (p < 0.05). The Ayurveda Rasayana therapy showed a significant reduction in post-interventional CTC count (-3.94 ± 1.2) (p = 0.02). In addition, this group of patients also showed significant improvement in health-related quality of life as measured by the FACT-G questionnaire (p < 0.05). Conclusions CTCs are a validated predictive biomarker for accounting for minimal residual disease, both in pre- and post-cancer treatments. The enumeration of CTCs represents an effective prognostic biomarker in assessing disease progression. A reduction in CTC count was seen to be associated with an improvement in health-related quality of life (QoL), which needs to be investigated further to establish a firm correlation. 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

CTCs track progression across early-stage breast cancer molecular subtypes. Publications 6 June 2023 ASCO 2023: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detection and isolation in different subtypes of early-stage breast cancer patients from Bangladesh. A trial found CTCs in 60% of early-stage breast cancer patients, notably all HER2-positive cases, linking them to tumor grade. Send the next! Background Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous pathophysiology characterized by poor outcomes. Due to the increasing incidence and disease progression rates and undefined relapse periods, reliable disease monitoring is a challenge and has remained an unmet need. Advancements in liquid biopsy have significantly enhanced our understanding of clinical oncology. CTC-based liquid biopsy is emerging as a reliable prognostic tool to predict various clinical indicators. Although extensively investigated in metastatic breast cancers, little is known about CTCs in early-stage breast cancers. CTCs with respect to different molecular subtypes of breast cancer in early-stage breast cancer patients is evaluated. Methods In this prospective clinical trial (CMC 59.27.0000.013.19 PG.009.2022/262), 40 early-stage patients with luminal (A + B, 33.33%), HER2-positive (12.8%), triple-negative (12.8%), and undetermined (41.07%) subtypes were recruited. CTCs were isolated in 1.5 ml blood using the Drug Controller General of India approved OncoDiscover CTC test. This platform contains affinity-based magnetic nanoparticles to mediate EpCAM-based CTC isolation. CTCs were detected as CK18+, DAPI+, and CD45- cells using a fluorescence detection-based automated digital imaging platform. Results CTCs were detected in 60% of patients with a mean CTC count of 1 cell / 1.5 ml blood. Among total positive patients, the luminal subtype was the least positive (46%), followed by TNBC (60%) and undetermined (62.5%) subgroups, while all HER2-positive patients showed the presence of CTCs. Besides individual cells, CTC clusters were detected in 12.5% of patients, and they were equally distributed in luminal and HER2-positive subpopulations. When analyzed on the scale of tumor grade, grade I patients did not show the presence of CTCs, while 58.33% of grade II patients had ≥ 1 CTC. All grade III patients showed the presence of ≥ 1 CTC. CTC count was high among CTC-positive grade II patients (average 2 CTCs) and correlated well with the presence of CTC clusters in these patients. Patients who had surgical intervention had a low CTC burden compared to patients who did not have a surgical resection. 75% of treatment-naive patients showed the presence of CTCs, while 58% of patients receiving chemotherapy alone showed the presence of 1 CTC. 50% of patients who had surgery followed by CT + RT showed the presence of 1 CTC. Conclusions The presence of CTCs may suggest the biological progression of disease in early-stage BC patients. CTCs detected in all HER2-positive patients suggested the high shedding nature of these tumors, which correlates well with their reported migratory tendency. The presence of CTCs did not show a clear correlation with the treatment regimen. However, this data is based on a single time point and needs longitudinal correlation with CTCs on a larger sample size. Clinical Trial Information 59.27.0000.013.19 PG.009.2022/262. 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

EMF triplet therapy and CTC monitoring improve HNSCC outcomes and predict response. Publications 7 June 2022 ASCO 2022: A feasibility study of EMF (erlotinib+methotrexate+5-fluorouracil) regimen in recurrent HNSCC and role of CTCs in assessment of outcomes. A phase II trial shows EMF triplet therapy is a safe, effective option for HNSCC, with CTCs serving as a promising biomarker for therapy response. Background Head and neck cancer is a huge burden in South East Asia with frequent relapse after curative therapy, while the rest present in advanced unresectable stages. Financial constraints for targeted and immunotherapy make it inaccessible for the bulk of the population. Thus, a low-cost but efficacious regimen is highly implicated. We assessed if the readily available triplet therapy of EMF is superior in terms of extending life and maintaining quality of life, along with the evaluation of CTCs as a predictive biomarker in such patients. Methods This was a single-arm, phase II, investigator-initiated interventional study, wherein 35 patients were enrolled. Platinum-resistant/refractory patients of HNSCC were treated with a combination of erlotinib 150 mg daily, methotrexate 40 mg/m2, and 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m2 (d1, d8) q28 days till progression or unacceptable toxicities. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR) at 3 months; additional endpoints were disease control rate (DCR) at 3 months, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), safety, and patient-reported quality of life (QOL). The role of CTCs in gauging the responders and non-responders was monitored using anti-Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule antibody-based enrichment on the OncoDiscover Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) approved platform. Results The ORR and DCR at 3 months were 45.7% and 68.5%, respectively. The median PFS was 5 months (95% CI: 3.9-6 months) and median OS was 9 months (95% CI: 7.4-10.5 months). The 3- and 6-month PFS rates were 86 ± 6% and 45 ± 9%, respectively, while OS rates at 3 and 6 months were 91 ± 5% and 68 ± 8%, respectively. Rash, mucositis, and fatigue were common adverse events occurring in 23 (65%), 14 (40%), and 9 (25.7%) patients respectively. The grade 3 events seen were rash in 5 (14.2%) and diarrhea in 2 (5.7%). Clinically significant improvement was seen in domains of role functioning, social functioning, fatigue, pain and global health status, swallowing, dryness of mouth, and feeling ill. The mean CTC count at baseline was 0.90 ± 1.1 / 1.5 ml of blood. Responders showed a decline in levels from 1.19 ± 0.25 to 0.33 ± 0.48, while non-responders had an increasing trend: 0.29 ± 0.48 to 1 ± 0.10 at 3 months (p = 0.010); with concordance rates with response being 52.9%. Additionally, CTC clearance at 3 months had a numerically better PFS of ~6 months (95% CI: 4.72-7.72) and OS of 10 months (95% CI: 2.3-5.65) vs 4 months (95% CI: 2.3-5.65), p = 0.258, and 8 months (95% CI: 4.3-11.6), p = 0.203 in those with persistence of CTCs. Conclusions The triplet regimen of EMF is a feasible, safe therapeutic option with favorable response rates and improved QOL in patients with platinum-resistant/refractory HNSCC. CTCs have a promising futuristic role as a predictive biomarker and can be extrapolated in the clinical upfront setting too. Clinical Trial Information CTRI/2020/02/023378. 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 discusses liquid biopsy on DD Sahyadri interview. Press Release 28 August 2019 Dr. Jayant Khandare – Interview Excerpts on DD Sahyadri Dr. Jayant Khandare shares insights on cancer diagnostics and liquid biopsy advancements in his edited interview on DD Sahyadri, aired by Doordarshan Sahyadri. In this interview, Dr. Jayant Khandare discusses advancements in cancer diagnostics, the growing importance of liquid biopsy technologies, and the need for patient-centric research. He explains the value of early detection in improving survival outcomes and highlights how minimally invasive testing methods can transform cancer care in India. Watch the 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

PD-L1 CTCs and clusters in gastric cancer support MRD detection and recurrence monitoring. Publications 3 November 2025 Assessment of PD-L1 Expression on Circulating Tumor Cells and Clusters in Gastric Cancer Patients Circulating tumor cells with PD-L1 expression and clusters are common in gastric cancer, indicating minimal residual disease and recurrence risk. Authors Khandare J, Ghadyalpatil N, Raja T, Velukuru S, Jadhav V, Satape R, Shinde S, Ashturkar A, Dattatreya P, Vasudevan A Affiliations: Actorius Innovations and Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India Apollo Cancer Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India Apollo Cancer Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Renova Soumya Cancer Center, Hyderabad, Telangana, India Introduction Gastric cancer is associated with a high mortality rate, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis, which reduces the effectiveness of treatments such as surgery and results in poor five-year survival outcomes. The rate of metastasis in early-stage gastric cancer (EGC) varies, with reported lymph node metastasis rates ranging from approximately 10% to over 23%, depending on factors such as tumor invasion depth. Although most EGC cases do not initially present with distant metastasis, a substantial proportion of patients are diagnosed at advanced, metastatic stages. In this study, we evaluated gastrointestinal cancer patients for minimal cellular residual disease using circulating tumor cells (CTCs) expressing PD-L1 and the presence of CTC clusters. Methods A total of 58 gastric cancer samples were retrospectively analyzed. CTCs were isolated using the CDSCO India–approved OncoDiscover® CTC Test, which employs immunomagnetic enrichment with anti-EpCAM antibodies. CTCs were identified through immunocytochemical staining as CK18⁺, DAPI⁺, and CD45⁻ cells. Fluorescence imaging was performed using a Zeiss Axio Observer 7 microscope, and signal intensities were quantified. PD-L1 expression on CTCs was also evaluated. Statistical analyses summarized total CTC counts, PD-L1–positive CTCs, and the presence of CTC clusters. Results Among the 58 gastric cancer patient samples analyzed, CTCs were detected in 62.1% (36/58) of cases, while 37.9% (22/58) were CTC-negative. Most samples (93.1%) were collected at baseline, and 6.9% at follow-up. Among CTC-positive cases, PD-L1 expression was observed in 51.7%, while 8.7% were PD-L1-negative. CTC clusters were identified in 83.3% (30/36) of CTC-positive patients. Regarding CTC count distribution, 31.0% of patients had one CTC, 18.9% had two, and 12.07% had three CTCs. For PD-L1–positive CTCs, 14.3% of patients had zero detectable CTCs, 51.4% had one, 25.7% had two, and 8.6% had three CTCs. The mean CTC count across all samples was 1.0, the mean number of PD-L1–positive CTCs was 0.8, and the mean cluster count was 0.1. Demographic analysis showed male predominance (61.1%), with the most represented age group being 61–70 years (29.6%), followed by 41–50 years (22.2%) and 51–60 years (20.4%). Conclusions CTCs, particularly those expressing PD-L1 and forming clusters, are prevalent in gastric cancer patients and may serve as valuable biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. Their detection may help assess minimal cellular residual disease (MCRD) and identify patients at risk of recurrence. 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

3D-printed G-EpCAM device effectively captures CTCs to stem metastatic progression. Publications 7 June 2022 ASCO 2022: Extracorporeal microchannel device to capture and eliminate circulating tumor cells from cancer patient’s blood. A 3D-printed G-EpCAM device successfully captured over 85% of CTCs with minimal hemolysis, offering a new way to stem metastatic progression. Background Metastatic progression accounts for nearly 90% of cancer-related deaths and has been directly correlated with the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in numerous carcinomas, including breast, lung, ovarian, colorectal, and head and neck cancers. The removal of CTCs from cancer patients' blood is directly implicated in the reduction of extravasation and disease invasiveness to secondary organs. Methods We designed and printed 3-dimensional (3D) microchannel devices using a biocompatible polymer and packed them with anti-EpCAM (EpCAM) mediated glass-based (G) compositions (G-EpCAM). Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis simulation was explored to optimize the hemodynamic effect of the G-EpCAM device for measuring the pressure and velocity difference for blood along the spiral flow microchannels. Red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis was estimated using G-EpCAM compositions packed in a device to determine optimal biocompatibility. We assessed cancer cell lines' (breast cancer MCF7, lung cancer A549) interactions and capture with varying incubation time points, the effect of anti-EpCAM concentrations, the number of G-EpCAMs, and series of devices. We evaluated the G-EpCAM-on-device's CTC capture capability and biocompatibility using head and neck, colorectal, lung, and ductal breast cancer patients' blood samples. All G-EpCAM captured CTCs were immunostained for cytokeratin 18 (CK18) expression, and the optimal fluorescence acquisition intensity was quantified. Results The extracorporeal G-EpCAM microchannel device was 3D printed and consisted of an interlocking top lid and bottom base with inlet and outlet channels. The path length of the spiral device consisted of 20 microchannels with a 6.0-foot length. The device accommodated 28 gm of non-hemolytic G-EpCAM compositions. CFD analysis showed 3.8 mm as the ideal channel diameter and 2 mm as the superlative G-EpCAM diameter for maximal cell and CTC capture with minimal blood hemolysis (less than 1%) as compared to the control. Series 1 and 2 devices indicated 90% and 85% cell capture efficiency, respectively, using G-EpCAM devices, indicating the highest interactions and efficiency with cells. Conversely, the first device in the series captured the highest number of cells. In addition, the efficiency improved as the number of G-EpCAM compositions was increased. We accounted for the device to capture CTCs with specificity using the G-EpCAM composition and observed no hemolysis or non-specific interactions with other blood cells like RBCs or leukocytes. Conclusions Continuous CTC removal from cancer patients' blood circulation using such a device offers promising therapeutic utility in stemming aggressive metastatic invasion and progression for improving the overall survival of epithelial origin cancer patients. Clinical Trial Information CTRI U1111/1192-3951. 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

Polymer-based drug delivery for targeted GI tract release (stomach, intestine, colon). Patents 26 February 2020 Polymer based formulation for release of drugs and bioactives at specific GIT sites. A polymer-based formulation designed for targeted release of drugs and bioactives at specific gastrointestinal sites, including the stomach, intestine, and colon. Related patent documents CA3060026 EP3612196 WO/2018/193337 US20200129442 US20230181479 Granted US and Indian Patent Actorius Innovations and Research 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

CTC and PD-L1 analysis helps detect MRD and guide therapy in colorectal cancer. Publications 3 June 2024 ASCO 2024: Measure of minimal residual burden on CTCs with over-expression of PD-L1 as a dynamic biomarker in patients with colorectal cancer. CTC detection with PD-L1 expression in colorectal cancer reveals minimal residual disease and supports personalized treatment strategies. Background In stage III colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, the extent of oxaliplatin-based adjuvant therapy remains uncertain. Approximately 25–50% of stage II–III CRC patients develop recurrence and metastasis even after comprehensive treatment, largely attributed to occult disease and minimal residual disease (MRD). Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent a bio-mechanistic source of extravasation leading to micro-metastatic disease. CRC patients receiving reduced adjuvant therapy (3–6 months) are known to exhibit increased CTC counts and positivity rates due to the emergence of resistant clones. Assays that detect CTCs and the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) as a dynamic biomarker simultaneously have significant clinical implications, particularly when tissue biopsy samples are inadequate to identify molecular targets for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Methods In a retrospective study, 182 CRC patients were analyzed for the presence and distribution of CTCs at baseline and across follow-ups (0–4 follow-ups). Peripheral blood (1.5 ml) samples were analyzed using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover platform, which consists of a multifunctional magneto-nanosystem mediated by anti-epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies. CTCs were evaluated in patients with early-stage disease (pre- and post-treatment), progressive disease, disease-free status (DFS), and metastasis. Isolated cells were immunostained to detect CK18+, CD45-, DAPI+, and PD-L1+ expression. PD-L1 expression on CTCs was validated by analyzing the linear intensity gradients of fluorescence signals. CTCs were classified as PD-L1 negative when weak or no fluorescence signal was detected and PD-L1 positive when strong fluorescence signals were observed using automated image acquisition on a Zeiss fluorescence microscope. Results Among the cohort of 182 CRC patient samples, 128 (70.3%) showed the presence of CTCs. A fluorescence intensity-based assay was developed to evaluate PD-L1 expression as a robust functional biomarker for molecular characterization of CTCs. The distribution of CTCs ranged from 1 to 9 cells. The mean fluorescence intensity value and cut-off for PD-L1 expression in CTCs was approximately 1.02. Notably, 54 patients (42.2%) with CTCs showed positive PD-L1 expression. CTC-positive patients with PD-L1 expression were observed across all stages, including early-stage disease, progressive disease, and metastasis. Patients without detectable CTCs (n = 54, 29.7%) either had clinically stable disease or were in DFS with no radiographic evidence of disease. Conclusions PD-L1 overexpression on CTCs represents a dynamic blood-based biomarker indicating disease progression even in patients with DFS status. Enumeration of CTCs along with assessment of PD-L1 expression may enable more individualized treatment strategies for CRC patients and support better monitoring of disease progression and therapeutic response. 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