'कॅन्सर'ची टेस्ट शोधणाऱ्या मराठी माणसाचं आकाशाएवढं कर्तृत्व बघाच ! | डॉ.जयंत खंदारे. Press Release | 29 August 2026 'कॅन्सर'ची टेस्ट शोधणाऱ्या मराठी माणसाचं आकाशाएवढं कर्तृत्व बघाच ! | डॉ.जयंत खंदारे. धाराशिवच्या डॉ. जयंत खंदारे यांनी अमेरिकेत संशोधन करून रक्तावरून कॅन्सरचे निदान करणारी जगातील केवळ दुसरी टेस्ट विकसित केली आहे. पुणे आणि अमेरिकेत त्यांच्या लॅब असून, कॅन्सर जनजागृतीसह त्यांच्या या महत्त्वपूर्ण शोधाच्या प्रेरणादायी प्रवासाचा घेतलेला हा वेध. Summary in Marathi, Hindi and English डॉ. जयंत खंदारे यांनी रक्ताच्या तपासणीतून कॅन्सरचे निदान करणारी एक प्रगत आणि परवडणारी चाचणी विकसित केली आहे . पुणे येथील त्यांच्या 'अॅक्टोरियस' लॅबमध्ये ही चाचणी केली जाते. त्यांनी त्यांच्या धाराशिव ते अमेरिका आणि पुन्हा भारतात परतण्याचा प्रवास, तसेच कॅन्सरवरील संशोधनाचे महत्त्व या मुलाखतीत मांडले आहे . ही चाचणी कॅन्सर पेशंट्सना उपचारादरम्यान कॅन्सरचा प्रसार किंवा पुन्हा होणारा धोका ओळखण्यास मदत करते . डॉ. जयंत खंदारे ने रक्त परीक्षण के माध्यम से कैंसर का पता लगाने वाली एक उन्नत और किफायती टेस्ट विकसित की है। पुणे स्थित उनकी लैब 'एक्टोरियस' में यह परीक्षण किया जाता है, जो अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर की तुलना में बहुत सस्ती है । इस साक्षात्कार में, उन्होंने धाराशिव से अमेरिका और भारत तक के अपने वैज्ञानिक सफर और कैंसर अनुसंधान के महत्व पर चर्चा की है। यह टेस्ट कैंसर रोगियों को उपचार के दौरान कैंसर के फैलाव या दोबारा होने की स्थिति को समझने में मदद करती है। Dr. Jayant Khandare, originally from Dharashiv , discusses his journey of researching and developing a liquid biopsy test. This advanced technology allows for the detection of circulating tumor cells in the blood, helping to monitor cancer progression and relapse effectively. His laboratory, Actorius , based in Pune , provides this testing at a significantly lower cost than international alternatives, making it accessible for Indian patients. The discussion covers the causes of cancer, the importance of early detection, and the future potential of cancer vaccines. Know more about OncoDiscover - https://www.oncodiscover.com/ Watch the full video here oncodiscover.com/ctc-test https://www.oncodiscover.com/ctc-test 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

Dynamic device captures CTCs safely, enabling monitoring and metastatic control. Publications | 3 June 2025 Use of dynamic blood flow device with conjugated affinity ligands on glass substrate to capture circulating tumor cells in cancer patients. Continuous-flow 3D glass substrate device safely captures circulating tumor cells, demonstrating potential to reduce metastasis and improve cancer survival. Background Primary tumors are known to shed circulating tumor cells (CTCs), promoting systemic dissemination and increasing the risk of metastasis to distant organs. Approximately 90% of cancer-related deaths are directly associated with metastasis. Several studies in animal models suggest improved overall survival following reduction in the number of CTCs in circulation. In this study, we demonstrate the capture of CTCs using a continuous blood-flow device incorporating three-dimensional glass substrates (3D GS) conjugated with affinity ligands, including anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibody and transferrin (Tf), in cancer patients. Methods A bi-spiral, plano-horizontal, optically transparent device fabricated from biocompatible resin with multiple channels for continuous blood flow was designed using a 3D printer. The circulation device comprised 14 loops capable of holding 17.5 mL of blood and containing 680 glass substrates (2 mm diameter) conjugated with anti-EpCAM antibody and transferrin. The system was mechanized for functional circulation using three pumps. Pyrogenicity resulting from blood passage through the device was evaluated in three New Zealand White rabbits according to ISO:10993-11 guidelines for systemic toxicity assessment. Additionally, 27 blood samples from patients with early- and late-stage cancers across nine cancer types, including colorectal, lung, breast, and ovarian cancers, were processed using the OncoDialysis assay. The cohort consisted of 48.15% male and 51.85% female patients. CTCs were captured using five glass substrates from 1.5–5 mL of blood and validated using CK18 and CD45 markers through fluorescence microscopy. Samples were also analyzed using the Drug Controller, India–approved OncoDiscover technology for comparative evaluation. Results No hemolysis was observed as a result of the device. Continuous circulation of up to 5 mL of blood successfully demonstrated CTC capture within the flow system. All rabbits remained healthy during testing, and none exhibited an individual temperature increase of 0.5°C or more compared with controls, indicating no systemic toxicity. The OncoDialysis assay detected CTCs in 48.15% of patients (n = 13/27), yielding a total of 14 CTCs (12 single CTCs and 2 clusters), with a mean CTC distribution of 0.51 per 1–5 mL of blood. The OncoDiscover platform isolated 23 CTCs (18 single CTCs and 5 clusters), with a mean CTC distribution of 0.8. A concurrence rate of 74.07% was observed between the two platforms. In 40.74% of cases (n = 11/27), CTCs were detected by both systems. Conclusions We developed a dynamic in vitro blood circulation device with demonstrated safety in animal studies, capable of selectively capturing circulating tumor cells from patient blood. Reduction of CTC burden may hold significant therapeutic potential in limiting metastatic spread and improving overall survival in epithelial-origin cancers, both in treated and untreated settings. 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

AR-V7 detection in CTCs may predict ARSI resistance and guide prostate cancer therapy. Publications | 30 August 2026 Detection of Androgen Receptor Splice Variant 7 in Circulating Tumor Cells for Dynamic Treatment Decision in Prostate Cancer Patients This study evaluated AR-V7 in CTCs and clusters from prostate cancer patients, highlighting its potential to predict ARSI resistance and support dynamic treatment decisions. Introduction: The androgen receptor (AR) is the principal driver of prostate cancer (PC) progression and the primary therapeutic target of androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs). Androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) is a constitutively active splice variant of AR that lacks the ligand-binding domain targeted by ARSIs, enabling persistent AR signaling despite therapy. AR-V7 has emerged as a predictive biomarker of resistance to ARSI therapy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), with shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with abiraterone or enzalutamide. Detection of AR-V7 in circulating tumour cells (CTCs) is a strong predictive biomarker for identifying patients who are less likely to benefit from ARSI therapy. Dynamic treatment decisions (DTD) based on AR-V7 expression in CTCs may have significant implications for improving clinical outcomes. We evaluated AR-V7 expression in CTCs and CTC clusters from patients with prostate cancer (PC). Methods: Retrospectively, 1.5 mL of peripheral blood samples from 30 cancer patients, comprising 24 patients with advanced prostate cancer and 6 negative controls (non-PC), were processed using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover immunomagnetic affinity platform. CTC enrichment was performed using anti-EpCAM antibody-based immunomagnetic capture, followed by identification of CK18-positive, CD45-negative, DAPI-positive cells. CTCs and CTC clusters were immunostained with antibodies against total AR and the AR-V7 splice variant and analysed using microscopy. Individual CTCs and CTC clusters were evaluated for AR and AR-V7 expression at single-CTC resolution. Results: Among 23 patients with advanced PC, CTCs and/or CTC clusters were detected in 73.9% (17/23) of patients. A total of 31 CTCs were isolated, corresponding to a mean CTC distribution of 1.35 per patient, including 61.29% (19/31) individual CTCs and 38.70% (12/31) CTC clusters. AR-V7-positive CTCs and/or CTC clusters were detected in 43.47% (10/23) of patients. Overall, 35.5% (11/31) of CTCs were AR-V7-positive, comprising 6 individual CTCs and 5 CTC clusters. Among the 12 CTC clusters, 5 (41.7%) expressed AR-V7. Seven of 10 AR-V7-positive patients (70.0%) demonstrated both AR-V7-positive and AR-V7-negative CTCs and CTC clusters, highlighting interpatient and intrapatient heterogeneity. Conclusion: We detected AR-V7-positive CTCs and CTC clusters in patients with PC, demonstrating heterogeneity in AR-V7 expression. Further clinical studies correlating AR-V7 status with dynamic treatment decisions and therapeutic response outcomes 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

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

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

Antibody-coated cotton substrate for CTC enumeration and chemotherapy response. Publications | 18 February 2022 Manuscript: Antibody mediated cotton-archetypal substrate for enumeration of circulating tumor cells and chemotherapy outcome in 3D tumors Cotton microfluidic substrate enables efficient CTC isolation, 3D tumor growth, and drug response testing for improved cancer diagnostics and therapy research. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are distinct cancer biomarkers established in clinical settings for early cancer detection, metastasis progression, and minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring. Despite numerous advances, comprehensive molecular characterization of CTCs remains extremely challenging due to their rarity and heterogeneity. Here, we present a novel cotton microfluidic substrate (CMS) as an innovative biomedical matrix that efficiently isolates CTCs while facilitating in vitro CTC expansion, enabling further downstream analysis of these rare cells. CMS enabled both static and dynamic isolation of cells from the MCF-7 cancer cell line, as well as from the blood of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. The cell capture efficiencies were further compared with the clinically regulated OncoDiscover® Liquid Biopsy Test. Furthermore, CMS served as a matrix on which the captured cancer cells were grown into 3D tumor models to study anti-cancer drug efficacy and multi-drug resistance (MDR) mechanisms. The design of the CMS employed two different surface chemistries—flattened and nanostructured surfaces—each conjugated with anti-EpCAM antibodies to evaluate CTC capture efficiency and 3D tumor growth dynamics. The nanostructured surface was highly efficient in capturing CTCs and promoted 3D tumor spheroid formation, showing a five-fold increase in size from day 3 to day 10 of culture. Moreover, when treated with the anti-cancer drug cisplatin, an almost half reduction in tumor size was achieved within 24 hours, followed by a cytostatic threshold and the eventual acquisition of drug resistance within three days. Conclusively, the CMS matrix exhibits potential for the further development of “tissue-on-chip” and “point-of-care” medical devices in cancer diagnostics, as well as for evaluating chemotherapeutic efficacy in drug discovery and development. 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 analysis improves MRD detection and cancer progression monitoring. Publications | 3 June 2024 ASCO 2024: Association of complementing ctDNA and CTCs load on stable and progressive disease in treated patients. Complementary ctDNA and CTC biomarkers reveal minimal residual disease and predict cancer progression after curative-intent treatment. Background: Post curative-intent surgery and therapy, the presence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) load represents minimal residual disease (MRD). Conversely, the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in stage I–II cancer or even in disease-free survival (DFS) patients indicates occult cellular residual disease (CRD) with undetectable micrometastasis. These complementary biomarkers in patients undergoing treatment act as indicators of non-responsiveness, suggesting the need for treatment modifications. Methods: Retrospectively, we monitored a cohort of 46 cancer patients for MRD using ctDNA and CTCs who were treated or undergoing treatment (e.g., lung, breast, colon, and head and neck cancer; n = 14, 7, 6, and 4, respectively). The OncoMonitor test detected single nucleotide variations (SNVs), small insertions and deletions (INDELs), copy number variations (CNVs), and translocations (fusions). Libraries were prepared using a hybridization-capture method covering 1000 targets with a mean sequencing depth of 5000× on the Illumina NextSeq 2000 in paired-end mode (150 × 2). Variant calling was performed using a proprietary bioinformatics pipeline, iCare. CTCs were isolated using the OncoDiscover platform, which possesses an anti-EpCAM antibody-based immunomagnetic system per 1.5 mL of blood. CTCs were confirmed using CK18+, PD-L1, and CD45 markers with a motorized fluorescence microscope. Results: From ctDNA analysis, 47.82% (n = 22) of patients were identified with at least one actionable genomic finding. Among these, 13.04% (n = 6) of patients showed EGFR driver mutations. Additionally, 19.56% (n = 9) of patients were identified with either EGFR driver, KRAS, or PI3K passenger mutations, while 4.34% (n = 2) were identified with ALK–EML4 fusion. The average ctDNA load obtained in patients with progressive disease (n = 26) was 8.2 molecules per 1 mL of plasma. At least one CTC was detected in 61.53% (n = 16) of progressive disease patients, with the highest count of four CTCs identified in 7.69% (n = 2) of patients. Only 30% (n = 6) of patients with stable disease were identified with at least one genomic finding from a total of 20 patients upon ctDNA analysis, with an average ctDNA load of 2.2 molecules per 1 mL of plasma. Patients with clinically progressive disease showed ctDNA load approximately fourfold higher than those with stable disease during treatment. No patients with stable disease were identified with four CTCs, as opposed to 7.69% in the progressive disease cohort during treatment. Conclusions: We observed that ctDNA and CTCs complement MRD status even after curative-intent surgery and therapy, with the potential to identify patients likely to experience disease progression. Our findings strongly indicate a positive correlation between ctDNA load, the number of detected CTCs, and disease progression based on radiological findings. These biomarkers can support practical clinical decision-making. Further studies are necessary to validate these findings and improve follow-up strategies for better clinical outcomes. 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 featured on BBC News Click Kannada with expert and patient insights. Press Release | 22 March 2019 Actorius Innovations Featured on BBC News Click Kannada Actorius Innovations and Research was showcased on BBC News Click (Kannada edition), featuring an interview with Dr. Jayant Khandare and testimonials from leading oncologists including Dr. Kumar Prabhash and Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, along with patient experiences. In this special feature on BBC News Click Kannada, Actorius Innovations and Research highlights its advancements in cancer diagnostics and liquid biopsy technology. Dr. Jayant Khandare shares insights into the science and vision behind the innovation, while renowned experts Dr. Kumar Prabhash and Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi provide clinical perspectives on its impact. The segment also includes powerful patient testimonials, underscoring the real-world significance of early and minimally invasive cancer detection. 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

Marathi news report on early cancer recurrence detection using liquid biopsy. Press Release | 29 August 2019 Early Detection of Cancer Recurrence Now Possible in Marathi A feature highlighting innovative liquid biopsy technology that enables early detection of cancer recurrence, with expert insights from Dr. Jayant Khandare of Actorius Innovations and Research in Marathi News Paper This news feature discusses advancements in cancer diagnostics that make early detection of recurrence possible through cutting-edge liquid biopsy techniques. Dr. Jayant Khandare explains how circulating tumor cell–based testing can help monitor disease progression, guide treatment decisions, and improve patient outcomes. The report emphasizes the growing cancer burden and the importance of accessible, minimally invasive diagnostic solutions in India. 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 in recurrent and metastatic head & neck squamous cell carcinoma. Publications | 20 July 2023 Manuscript: Role of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) This study highlights the utility of CTCs as a disease progression monitoring tool in recurrent HNSCC patients. Our findings suggest the potential clinical utility of CTCs and the need for further exploration in upfront settings of the disease as well (NCT: CTRL/2020/02/023378). Background: Liquid biopsy is emerging as a non-invasive tool that provides a personalized snapshot of primary and metastatic tumors. It aids in detecting early metastasis, recurrence, or resistance to the disease. We aimed to assess the role of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) as a predictive biomarker in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer, specifically head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methodology: Thirty-five patients receiving palliative chemotherapy underwent blood sampling (2 mL in an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) vial) at baseline and at 3-month intervals. The CTCs were isolated and evaluated using anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule antibody-based enrichment with the OncoDiscover platform. Results: CTCs were isolated from 80% of patients (n = 28), showing sensitivity of cell detection at baseline and at 3-month intervals. The median CTC count was 1 per 1.5 mL of blood, and the concordance with clinicoradiological outcomes was 51.4%. The median CTC count declined at 3 months in responders (1 (range: 0–4) to 0 (range: 0–1)), while non-responders showed an increase in levels (0 (range: 0–2) to 1 (range: 0–3)). Although CTCs positively correlated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), the association did not show a significant difference between CTC-positive and CTC-negative patients at 3 months (PFS: 6 months versus 4 months; hazard ratio: 0.68; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29–1.58, p = 0.323; OS: 10 months versus 8 months; hazard ratio: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.18–1.57; p = 0.216). Conclusion: This study highlights the utility of CTCs as a disease progression monitoring tool in recurrent HNSCC patients. Our findings suggest the potential clinical utility of CTCs and the need for further exploration in upfront settings of the disease as well (NCT: CTRL/2020/02/023378). 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

Actorius Innovations at ASCO Annual Meeting 2026 Publications | 17 March 2026 ASCO 2026: Continual depletion of circulating tumor cells using an automated device enriched with affinity glass bead substrates in breast and CRC patient's whole blood. Automated OncoMetastat device captures and depletes CTCs in colorectal and breast cancer, aiding detection of minimal residual disease and metastasis risk. Abstract Background Despite no radiological or pathological evidence of disease, about 25–50% of stage II–III colorectal cancer (CRC) and early-stage breast cancer (BC) patients are known to experience recurrence. The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) traits represents aggressive systemic disease. Through autonomous oncogenic activation, epithelial cells acquire invasive properties that enable metastasis. A high EMT score combined with immune checkpoint expression, such as PD-L1, may allow tumor cells to evade immune surveillance. Following curative-intent surgery and therapy, CTCs represent minimal cellular residual disease (MCRD) and serve as strong predictors of recurrence. In this study, we present an automated extracorporeal device designed to capture, analyze, and deplete CTCs for further clinical evaluation. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 66 patients, including stage II–III CRC patients (n = 41) and breast cancer patients (n = 25). Whole blood samples were processed to deplete CTCs using the OncoMetastat device. Among the CRC patients, 12 were female and 29 were male. The average age of BC and CRC patients was 53.6 and 58 years, respectively. The device consists of a spiral channel (127 × 85 × 5 mm; spiral span: 66 mm; width: 4 mm) 3D-printed using biocompatible resin and filled with anti-EpCAM antibody–conjugated glass beads (GB). The system includes a controller and a peristaltic pump that circulates blood in and out of the spiral channels. Vibrational energy induces motion in the glass beads to enhance cell capture. Hemolysis, protein binding, leukocyte adsorption, and CTC capture efficiency were evaluated. CTC capture efficiency was compared with the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover CTC technology in India. Blood samples were pumped into the device and incubated with affinity-enriched glass beads for 30 minutes under constant vibration (200 Hz) to enhance CTC capture and prevent blood stagnation. CTCs were confirmed using CK18⁺, DAPI⁺, and CD45⁻ markers and analyzed using an automated fluorescence microscope. Results A total of 48 CTCs were detected in 58% (38/66) of patients. CTC positivity was slightly higher in breast cancer patients (60.0%) compared with CRC patients (56.1%). The mean CTC distribution was 0.73 overall, with CRC and BC both showing mean values of 0.73 and 0.72, respectively. The negative predictive value (NPV) was determined to be 0.86 (86%). Automated scanning demonstrated 100% efficiency in detecting CTCs. Low leukocyte adhesion was observed with anti-EpCAM–coated glass beads. White blood cell (WBC) counts varied by cancer type, with mean counts of 4.9 × 10⁶/mL for breast cancer and 3.9 × 10⁶/mL for colorectal cancer, both lower than healthy controls (6.9 × 10⁶/mL). Clinically insignificant hemolysis (<1%) and minimal protein binding (~1.5%) were observed in the spiral channel. Glass beads subjected to vibrational energy demonstrated enhanced CTC sequestration, achieving over 90% cell capture efficiency compared with vibration-free conditions. Conclusions This study demonstrates efficient CTC depletion in 66 CRC and breast cancer patients using an automated extracorporeal device. Early-stage CRC and BC patients with detectable CTCs may have a higher risk of developing distant metastasis. Therefore, following complete remission, the use of an extracorporeal device to deplete CTCs could potentially reduce the risk of metastatic progression. 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