CTCs track residual disease and therapy response in breast cancer patients. Publications | 6 June 2023 ASCO 2023: Effect of circulating tumor cells distribution in treatment naive and treated patients with advance stage breast cancer on disease burden. A study of 417 breast cancer patients shows tracking circulating tumor cells (CTCs) effectively monitors therapy response and recurrence risk. Background Breast malignancies are a leading cause of cancer-related mortalities and show an ascending incidence rate. Despite advancements in our understanding of the disease, its clinical outcome is often dismal. This largely remains owing to the characteristic wide window of relapse, spanning months to decades after primary treatment. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the disease is an offered choice to detect metastatic progression and recurrence. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have emerged as a powerful prognostic tool to predict the disease outcome in many epithelial cancers. CTCs are a real-time surrogate biomarker accounting for minimal residual disease (MRD) which is often missed in CT PET scanning. This leads to a progression of metastasis when the patient is often considered as 'clinically disease free'. Here, we analyzed the presence of CTCs in treatment-naive and chemo-recipient breast cancer patients. Methods In this retrospective study on 417 breast cancer patients, CTCs were isolated from 1.5 ml of blood using the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) 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 based on an automated digital imaging platform. Results 42.6% (n=178) of patients were clinically at a progressive stage (stage II and III) and treatment-naive. On the other hand, 47.4% of patients received treatment including surgery and chemotherapy. CTCs were not observed in 5.6% (n=10) of the treatment-naive population, while 32% (n=75) of patients who received therapy did not show CTCs. The mean CTC number in treatment-naive patients was 15, while the mean CTC count in patients receiving therapy was drastically reduced to 2. This implied that therapy effectively countered the tumor progression and reduced the shedding of tumor cells in circulation. The distribution of CTC in treatment-naive patients exhibited a bimodal trend centered at values of 10 and 50, suggesting two distinct populations of patients with respect to CTC count. CTC count did not show any correlation with the age in both population groups. Surprisingly, CTC count in younger patients (20-50 years) was 50% higher compared to the older population (50-75 years). Conclusions The presence of CTCs in treatment-naive, progressive breast cancer patients indicated biologically aggravated disease. Although therapeutic intervention drastically reduced the CTC burden, their presence in a large population was suggestive of an MRD and the likelihood of recurrence after discontinuation of therapy. A distinct pattern of CTC occurrences in Tx naive and Tx recipient patients suggested that CTCs can be an important clinical indicator to monitor the therapy response, progression, and residual disease. 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

Combined ctDNA and PD-L1 CTC testing improves lung cancer monitoring and response. Publications | 3 June 2025 Quadrant of co-occurrence of circulating tumor DNA and PD-L1 expression on circulating tumor cells in monitoring disease aggressiveness and metastasis in lung cancer. Combined ctDNA and PD-L1–positive CTC analysis improves monitoring of metastasis, minimal residual disease, and treatment response in lung cancer. Background Liquid biopsies analyzing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) enable minimally invasive monitoring and testing of lung cancer across different stages. Approximately 90% of patients succumb due to metastasis. However, identifying patients with early metastatic signatures remains extremely challenging. In addition, monitoring minimal residual disease (MRD) and identifying patients at risk of recurrence is highly important. While the prognostic role of CTCs in predicting survival has been established in several cancers, the combined role of CTCs and ctDNA in monitoring disease aggressiveness, treatment response, and therapeutic decision-making has not been extensively explored. In this study, we investigated the combined roles of ctDNA and CTCs in monitoring disease aggressiveness and metastasis in lung cancer patients. Methods A cohort of 265 late-stage lung cancer patients was retrospectively analyzed for the co-occurrence of the dual biomarkers ctDNA and CTCs. The results were correlated in a quadrant-based model to assess clinical disease states derived from PET scans and histopathological examination (HPE) findings. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed using the OncoMonitor dual biomarker assay, which includes CTC enumeration with PD-L1 expression analysis. CTC counts were determined using the OncoDiscover Liquid Biopsy Test, approved by CDSCO-India, from 1.5 mL of blood. Results CTC distribution ranged from 1 to 8 cells, with a mean value of 1.22. Among the patients, 75.47% (n = 200) were CTC-positive, and among these, 91.50% (n = 183) exhibited PD-L1 expression on their CTCs, with a mean PD-L1–positive CTC value of 0.99. Both biomarkers were positive (ctDNA⁺/CTC⁺) in 135 patients (50.94%). Only 19 patients (7.17%) were negative for both biomarkers (ctDNA⁻/CTC⁻). Additionally, 43 patients (16.23%) were ctDNA⁺/CTC⁻, while 68 patients (25.66%) were ctDNA⁻/CTC⁺. The ctDNA⁺/CTC⁻ cohort exhibited the highest metastatic rate at 62.8%, followed by the ctDNA⁺/CTC⁺ group at 57.0%. The ctDNA-positive cohort showed the highest proportion of progressive disease (20.2% and 18.6% in CTC⁺ and CTC⁻ subgroups, respectively). Mutations in EGFR, TP53, and KRAS were observed in 62.64% (166/265) of patients. Stable disease was observed in 29.4% of patients when both biomarkers were absent (ctDNA⁻/CTC⁻). Conclusions Overall, the ctDNA-positive cohort demonstrated higher rates of MRD, disease progression, and metastasis, with no cases of stable disease. The combined quadrant analysis of CTC-PD-L1 cells and ctDNA provides a non-invasive approach for monitoring disease progression, treatment response, complete remission, and early metastatic detection in lung cancer patients. 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

Regional Sales Manager (RSM) Publication Date: 26 Aug 2026 | Last Application Date: 6 Oct 2026 Apply Now Department Sales Location Assigned Region Experience 10-15 years Location: Assigned Region-State / Travel as required Reporting To: Zonal Sales Manager Role Overview The Regional Sales Manager will be responsible for driving sales and business development across assigned states . The role will manage state-level sales activities, develop institutional relationships and ensure achievement of regional revenue targets. Key Responsibilities Develop and execute sales plans across assigned states. Drive revenue and business-development targets for the region. Build and maintain relationships with oncologists, hospitals, cancer centres, diagnostic laboratories and healthcare institutions. Identify new accounts, markets and business opportunities across assigned states. Lead and mentor the Area Sales Manager and field sales teams within the region. Monitor state-wise sales performance, pipeline and conversions. Develop key-account strategies for major hospitals and institutions. Conduct regular customer meetings, field visits and business reviews. Monitor competitor activity and market developments across assigned states. Coordinate with Marketing and Product teams for regional campaigns. Provide market intelligence and customer feedback to management. Prepare sales forecasts, MIS reports and regional performance updates. Ensure adherence to company policies and ethical healthcare sales practices. Qualifications & Skills Bachelor's/Master's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Business or a related field. 10–15 years of relevant sales experience , preferably in diagnostics, IVD, oncology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals or healthcare. Proven experience managing sales teams and multiple territories/states. Strong network among hospitals, oncologists and diagnostic institutions. Strong business-development, negotiation and leadership skills. Willingness to travel extensively across assigned states. 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

Get in touch with us. We'd love to hear from you! Visit us for frequently asked questions and more information. Contact us First name* Last name* Email* Phone Multi-line address Country/Region* Address* City* Zip / Postal code* What are you looking for?* Book a test Event enquiry Press or Media Enquiry Other Message* Submit Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy We'd love to hear from you Whether it’s research, technology, or partnership opportunities, we’re here to explore what’s next—together. Write to us Click the below button to book an OncoDiscover test. Book a test Our Address Visit Us Here’s where you can reach us in person. We look forward to welcoming you. US office 11842, Churchill Way, Porter Ranch, CA 91326 India office #203/6, Powai Lake Heights, Rambaug, Powai, Mumbai – 400076, Maharashtra, India India Lab 208 & 411, B Wing, GO Square, Aundh-Hinjewadi Road, Wakad, Pune - 411057, Maharashtra, India FAQS Frequently Asked Questions Answers to commonly asked questions about Actorius and our offerings. Know More What does Actorius Innovations & Research do? Actorius focuses on advancing precision oncology through innovative research, diagnostics, and technology platforms. Our work is centered on understanding cancer biology in depth and translating insights into actionable outcomes. Who can reach out to Actorius? Researchers, clinicians, healthcare partners, institutions, and potential collaborators are welcome to contact us. We also engage with industry partners and organizations interested in advancing cancer diagnostics and care. How long does it take to receive a response after submitting the contact form? We typically respond within 1–2 business days. Queries that require technical or scientific review may take slightly longer, and we appreciate your patience. Can I request collaborations or partnerships through the contact form? Yes. The contact form can be used to initiate discussions around research collaborations, partnerships, or technology integrations. Please include relevant details so we can route your request appropriately. Where can I find more information about your services or products? Detailed information about our platforms, research focus, and offerings is available throughout the website. If you have a specific question not addressed online, feel free to contact us directly.

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

OncoDiscover detects CTCs, PD-L1 and clusters for longitudinal TNBC monitoring and care. Publications | 30 August 2026 Evaluation of circulating tumor cells expressing PD-L1 and CTC clusters at baseline and follow ups in triple-negative breast cancer A retrospective study of 180 TNBC blood samples evaluated CTC burden, PD-L1 expression and CTC clusters using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover platform, highlighting their potential for longitudinal disease monitoring and biomarker-guided management. Introduction: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype characterized by a high risk of recurrence and metastasis. Assessment of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), along with evaluation of PD-L1 expression and CTC clusters, provides prognostic, minimal cellular residual disease (MCRD), and predictive information. The duration of longitudinal CTC monitoring has not been established. This study evaluates the implications of detecting CTC burden, PD-L1 expression, and CTC clusters in TNBC patients at baseline and during follow-up for improved clinical outcomes. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed 180 peripheral blood samples from patients with TNBC, including 141 baseline (BL) and 39 longitudinal follow-up (FU) samples. Peripheral whole blood (1.5 mL) was processed using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover liquid biopsy platform, which employs antibody-mediated immunomagnetic enrichment and automated fluorescence microscopy to identify EpCAM⁺/CK18⁺/DAPI⁺/CD45⁻ CTCs. CTC positivity was defined as ≥1 confirmed CTC. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate CTC burden, PD-L1-positive CTCs, and CTC clusters across BL and FU cohorts and age groups. Results: CTCs were detected in 114/180 (63.3%) patients, while 66 (36.7%) were CTC-negative. PD-L1-positive CTCs were identified in 62/114 (54.4%) CTC-positive patients (34.4% of the overall cohort), and CTC clusters were detected in 17/180 (9.4%) patients. The overall mean CTC count was 0.91, with higher values observed in FU than BL samples (1.18 vs. 0.81). Mean CTC cluster counts were also marginally higher in FU samples (0.10 vs. 0.09). Most CTC-positive patients harbored a single CTC (77/180, 42.8%), followed by two (14.4%), three (5.0%), and four (1.1%) CTCs. Patients aged 20–30 years demonstrated the highest mean CTC count (1.83), whereas those aged 71–80 years had the lowest mean CTC count (0.50). Conclusion: The OncoDiscover platform detected CTCs in nearly two-thirds of patients with TNBC and demonstrated that more than half of CTC-positive patients expressed PD-L1. Simultaneous assessment of CTC enumeration, PD-L1 expression, and CTC clusters represents a promising minimally invasive strategy for longitudinal disease monitoring and biomarker-guided management in TNBC. Monitoring changes in CTCs and the duration of longitudinal MCRD from baseline remains critical, although this is not yet well established. 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

A cost-effective, high-efficiency nanosystem for rapid circulating tumor cell enumeration. Patents | 13 February 2023 Devices and methods for recovering disease-causing toxic constituents in the blood A cost-effective, high-efficiency nanosystem for rapid circulating tumor cell enumeration. The present disclosure relates to non-hemolytic blood compatible devices and methods for capture, enumeration, removal of disease-causing agents from the blood and for the treatment of the cancer patients. The said devices incorporating non-hemolytic compositions are useful for removing disease-causing agents 'ex vivo' from cancer patient's blood to prevent/delay the proliferation of cancer. The devices retain disease-causing agents in particular Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs), allowing the passage of other blood constituents retaining the viability of hematopoietic cells. Related patent documents WO/2023/229674 CA3255372 IN202527040253 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

PD-L1 expressing CTCs help monitor pancreatic cancer progression and MRD. Publications | 25 November 2024 ISLB 2024: Expression of Programmed Death - Ligand 1 as a dynamic biomarker on circulating tumor cells in pancreatic cancer patients CTC detection with PD-L1 overexpression reveals aggressive pancreatic cancer and potential biomarker value for monitoring metastasis and disease progression. Introduction Pancreatic cancer shows a high mortality rate due to difficulties in early diagnosis and the absence of standardized guidelines for assessing suspicious pancreatic masses. Biomarkers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9 lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity for pancreatic cancer detection. While tissue biopsy provides a static signature of target protein expressions, including PD-L1, the enumeration and profiling of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with cell surface markers can offer actionable targets for treatment. We present findings in pancreatic cancer where CTCs are associated with overexpression of PD-L1 as a dynamic marker for monitoring minimal residual disease (MRD) and disease progression, highlighting its role in the metastatic cascade. Methods Retrospectively, 50 pancreatic cancer patients were investigated for the presence of CTCs. Among them, 12 patients (24%) were in the early stage of disease, with ages ranging from 35 to 75 years. Sixty percent of patients were male (n = 30) and 40% were female (n = 20), while 76% (n = 38) were classified as late-stage cases. PD-L1 expression was evaluated using the approved OncoDiscover platform, which utilizes multi-component systems conjugated with anti-EpCAM antibodies on magnetic nanoparticles. CTC enumeration was performed using CD45–, EpCAM+, DAPI+, and CK18+ markers in 1.5 ml of peripheral blood. Functional assays assessed PD-L1 overexpression on CTCs using automated motorized Zeiss fluorescence microscopy. The sensitivity of the CTC and PD-L1 assay had been previously evaluated in other solid cancers. Results Out of 50 pancreatic cancer patients, 74% (n = 37) had at least one detectable CTC. Among these patients, 51% (n = 19) had one CTC, 30% (n = 11) had two CTCs, 14% (n = 5) had three CTCs, and 5% (n = 2) had four CTCs. The mean number of CTCs and clusters was 1.28 and 0.16, respectively. Additionally, 92% (n = 34) of patients demonstrated PD-L1 expression on CTCs. CTC clusters were observed in 19% of patients (n = 7). The mean PD-L1 expression on CTCs was 1.14. Conclusions CTCs with PD-L1 overexpression strongly suggest poor prognosis, potentially linked to activation of the metastatic cascade through immune system evasion. Larger studies are required to validate whether PD-L1-positive CTCs can serve as a reliable biomarker for the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer. 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

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

CTC counts correlate with nodal stage and aggressive features in Indian HNC patients. Publications | 7 March 2026 AACR 2020: Clinical correlation of circulating tumor cells as a blood marker in Indian head and neck cancer patients. A study of 350 Indian HNC patients confirms CTCs correlate with nodal stage and aggressive features, validating their use as a clinical staging marker. Objectives To establish a rapid, highly specific, efficient, sensitive, and affordable CTC enumeration liquid biopsy technology and to validate its efficacy to isolate CTCs disseminating from epithelial tumors of the HNC subpopulation in India. Furthermore, the study aimed to investigate the correlation of CTC distribution from peripheral blood with respect to various clinicopathologic factors in these patients. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using peripheral blood from 350 enrolled HNC patients. CTCs were isolated using DCGI (India) approved technology that exploits EpCAM-based immunomagnetic separation. EpCAM+ tumor cells were isolated from only 1.5 ml of blood and critically assayed for cytokeratin 18 (CK18) expression. These cells were quantified using fluorescence imaging to obtain a threshold to further minimize nonspecific and false-positive enumeration. CTC enumeration was subsequently subjected to statistical correlation with various clinical and pathologic parameters. Results CTCs were detected in all HNC patients across various subsites. There was a minimum threshold of at least 12 CTCs in early oral cancer patients according to their clinicopathologic signatures. Compared to early oral cancer patients, advanced nodal patients showed a 40% escalation in CTC count, while an increase of up to 80% was observed when associated with aggressive features such as lymphovascular emboli (LVE) and extranodal extensions. Notably, laryngopharyngeal primary cases had the highest mean CTC count of 33 in 1.5 ml of blood. Conversely, patients with advanced disease had higher CTC counts, and this was staggered in comparison with nearly—but not all—clinical features. Remarkably, a higher clinical N (nodal) stage statistically correlated with increased CTC counts. A marked increase in CTCs was also seen in tumors that showed lymphovascular emboli on histopathology and extranodal extension. The CTC counts were independent of parameters such as age, sex, T stage, perineural invasion, bone involvement, or skin involvement. There was a notable trend toward reduced CTC counts after chemotherapy; however, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion This rapid and efficient CTC platform has been clinically validated for use in Indian HNC phenotypes. This is the first comprehensive study to show a staggering positive correlation between CTCs and various clinicopathologic factors, encompassing the largest number of oral cancer patients across the entire spectrum of HNSCC—the most common cancer in India. High CTC counts among HNC patients could possibly be one of the reasons for dismal outcomes, and further studies correlating CTCs with patient survival in HNC are warranted. However, this study strongly implicates the prospective utility of CTCs as a tumor marker in establishing clinical staging for HNC patients. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

From circulating tumor cells and liquid biopsy to better cancer diagnostics —a journey driven by innovation, persistence, and the belief that better diagnostics can change lives. Events | 18 August 2026 14 Years of Actorius: A Journey of Innovation & Impact From circulating tumor cells and liquid biopsy to better cancer diagnostics —a journey driven by innovation, persistence, and the belief that better diagnostics can change lives. On 15 August, Actorius Innovations and Research celebrated its 14th Foundation Day —a milestone that marks more than another year on the calendar. It represents years of scientific exploration, technological development, clinical collaboration, and an unwavering focus on advancing cancer diagnostics. What began as an idea has grown into a journey focused on one of the most important challenges in oncology: understanding cancer at the cellular level and developing technologies that can help clinicians monitor how the disease evolves over time. From circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and liquid biopsy to technologies designed to support more informed approaches to cancer monitoring and metastasis research, the journey has always been driven by a simple belief: meaningful innovation in healthcare must ultimately translate into meaningful value for patients and clinicians. A Milestone Year for Actorius This Foundation Day feels particularly significant because this year, three important milestones came together: CDSCO Approved OncoDiscover® became the first and only CDSCO-approved clinical CTC liquid biopsy test in India , enabling standardized clinical use of CTC-based cancer monitoring. ISO 13485:2016 Certified Actorius' medical device Quality Management System complies with ISO 13485:2016 , reflecting internationally recognized standards for the design, development, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance of medical devices. NABL Accredited Testing is performed in an NABL-accredited laboratory , reinforcing technical competence, standardized laboratory processes, and quality in medical testing. Together, these milestones represent different dimensions of what it takes to move a healthcare innovation from scientific concept toward clinical application— regulatory validation, quality systems, and laboratory excellence. But certifications are milestones, not the mission. The Mission Remains Bigger Than the Milestones The purpose behind Actorius has remained consistent: Build meaningful science.Translate it into useful technology.And ultimately help give patients a better chance against cancer. Our work with CTC technologies reflects this approach. CTCs are cancer cells that can enter the bloodstream from tumors. Studying these cells can provide valuable biological information about cancer and how it changes over time. This has made CTCs an important area of research in liquid biopsy and cancer monitoring. Through OncoDiscover® CTC testing , Actorius is bringing CTC-based testing into clinical practice in India, with capabilities that include CTC enumeration and protein expression analysis such as PD-L1 and HER2 . At the same time, our research and development continues to explore what may be possible beyond conventional testing. OncoMetastat® , our patented investigational platform for extracorporeal blood processing, is being evaluated for its potential applications in metastasis research and future cancer care strategies. Designed to selectively isolate and analyze CTCs while preserving blood quality, the platform reflects our continued effort to explore new approaches to understanding cancer progression. From India, With a Global Scientific Ambition Our journey is rooted in India, but the questions we are working to address are global. Cancer remains one of the most complex challenges in medicine. Better outcomes will require continued progress across diagnostics, monitoring, treatment, research, and clinical decision-making. For Actorius Innovations and Research , being built in India means more than developing technologies locally. It means contributing Indian scientific and engineering capabilities to a field with global significance. Our goal is to continue building technologies that are scientifically rigorous, clinically relevant, and capable of contributing to the future of cancer care. 13 Years Completed. The Journey Continues. As we celebrate our 14th Foundation Day, we look back with gratitude—but also forward with ambition. A heartfelt thank you to our scientists, clinicians, collaborators, advisors, investors, partners, and every member of the Actorius team who has contributed to this journey. Every experiment, clinical collaboration, regulatory milestone, publication, prototype, conversation, and challenge has helped shape where we are today. 13 years completed. We are only getting started. Here’s to the next chapter of science, innovation, and the pursuit of better possibilities in cancer care. Happy Foundation Day, Team Actorius. 🧬🔬🚀 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 profiling in peripheral and portal venous blood reveals compartment-specific differences in PD-L1 expression. Publications | 30 August 2026 Comparative Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells, Clusters, and PD-L1 Expression in Paired Peripheral and Portal Venous Blood with Solid Malignancies A prospective study compares circulating tumor cells, CTC clusters, and PD-L1 expression in paired peripheral and portal venous blood, highlighting compartment-specific differences and the potential of dual-compartment liquid biopsy profiling. Introduction Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are an established biomarker for prognostication, minimal residual cellular disease (MRCD), and treatment monitoring. Portal venous blood (PVB), which directly drains gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary tumors, may contain a higher CTC population than peripheral blood (PB) and could serve as a strong predictive biomarker for postoperative relapse in resected pancreatic cancer. This study evaluates CTC enumeration, CTC clusters, and PD-L1 expression in paired PB and PVB samples. Methods In this prospective observational study, paired PB and PVB samples were collected from 12 patients with hepatobiliary, pancreatic, colorectal, and gastric malignancies during interventional procedures. CTCs were enriched and identified using validated morphological and immunophenotypic criteria. PD-L1 expression and CTC clusters were evaluated by immunostaining. Detection rates, mean CTC counts, compartment concordance, and cancer-specific differences were analyzed descriptively. Results Eleven paired samples were evaluable. CTC positivity was observed in 90.9% (10/11) of PB samples and 81.8% (9/11) of PVB samples. Mean CTC counts were identical in both compartments (1.09). PD-L1-positive CTCs were more frequently detected in PB than PVB (45.5% vs. 18.2%), with corresponding mean counts of 0.45 and 0.18, respectively. CTC clusters were identified in 18.2% of cases in both compartments. Hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma demonstrated high PB-PVB concordance, whereas pancreatic and rectal cancers showed compartment-specific discordance. Single CTCs predominated in both PB (72.7%) and PVB (63.6%). Conclusion Portal venous sampling is feasible and provides CTC detection rates comparable to peripheral blood. However, PB demonstrated greater detection of PD-L1-positive CTCs, suggesting compartment-specific biological differences. Combined assessment of PB and PVB may enhance liquid biopsy characterization, particularly in gastrointestinal malignancies. Larger prospective studies are warranted to define the clinical value of dual-compartment CTC profiling. 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