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Magnetic nanocrystals capture tumour cells from blood samples Press Release 11 February 2024 Magnetic nanocrystals capture tumour cells from blood samples These nanomaterials could speed up discovery of anti-cancer drugs Cellulose-based magnetic nanocrystals and nanofibres can capture circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from the blood samples of head and neck cancer patients. A magnet is used to separate the trapped tumour cells, which are then identified under a fluorescence microscope. This technique could potentially be used to monitor cancer progression in real time, says an international team, which included researchers at North Dakota State University, USA, the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, and Actorius Innovations and Research, and Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, both in Pune. Click the below link to read the full article. Know More Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

CTC and PD-L1 profiling supports therapy stratification and monitoring in cancers. Publications 16 September 2025 PD-L1 overexpression on circulating tumor cells and CTC clusters: A potential biomarker across solid carcinomas Correlation of CTC detection, PD-L1 expression, and CTC clusters highlights biomarkers for minimal residual disease and cancer progression monitoring. Abstract Background Overexpression of the dynamic protein PD-L1 on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is a highly implicative biomarker that represents post–curative intent status, minimal residual disease (MRD), disease aggressiveness, therapeutic response, and metastatic progression. We evaluated the correlation among CTC detection, PD-L1 expression, and CTC clusters present in solid tumors, namely lung, breast, colorectal, ovarian, and prostate carcinomas. Longitudinal monitoring of CTCs remains a major focus after treatments, including surgical intervention with curative intent. Methods Retrospectively, we analyzed 328 cancer patients (male 163, female 165) across stages, consisting of a total of 383 samples with baseline and follow-ups (n = 55). Cancer types included lung (27.13%), colorectal cancer (21.95%), breast (9.75%), ovary (4.2%), prostate (3.9%), and others. CTCs and clusters were detected from 1.5 ml peripheral blood using the OncoDiscover platform approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization of India. The platform contains a multifunctional magneto-nanosystem mediated by anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibody. CTCs were confirmed as EpCAM+ve, CK18+ve, DAPI+ve, and CD45–ve. PD-L1 expression on CTCs was detected based on the linear intensity gradients of fluorescence signals using image acquisition on an automated fluorescence microscope. Results Among the 383 samples with baseline and follow-ups, 69.45% of patients had CTCs ranging from 1–11. Approximately 77% of patients were above the age of 50. The total number of CTCs observed was ~649 with a mean distribution of ~1.69. CTCs with PD-L1 overexpression were observed in 55.35% of patients (n = 266). Higher CTC prevalence was observed in lung cancer (24.75%), followed by colorectal cancer (21.57%) and breast cancer (5.89%). CTC clusters were observed in 10.18% of patient samples. Notably, concurrent positivity for both CTCs and PD-L1 expression was most prevalent in lung cancer patients, suggesting a potential aggressive disease phenotype and therapeutic vulnerability. Conclusions The findings support the integrated use of CTCs and their PD-L1 expression as a composite biomarker strategy to stratify patients for targeted therapies, immunotherapeutic interventions, and longitudinal monitoring. 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

The POP device effectively removes CTCs from blood to reduce metastatic progression. Publications 15 July 2020 ASCO 2020: Device for the enumeration and continuous removal of circulating tumor cells in improving overall survival of epithelial cancer patients The POP blood fluidic device safely removes CTCs with up to 100% efficiency, offering a new therapeutic path to reduce metastasis and improve survival. Background: The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the vascular system is a tell-tale signature of metastasis in epithelial origin cancers including lung, breast, colorectal and head and neck cancers. Noteworthy, about 90% of cancer deaths are due to the progression of metastasis. Yet, cancer therapy is focussed on inhibiting tumour growth and there is a paucity of options that target metastasis. We demonstrate the POP ‘device’ that removes circulating tumour cells (CTC) from a patient’s blood to reduce the metastatic progression and improve overall survival. Methods: We designed, multi-component glass beads enriched antibody EpCAM conjugate substrates as POP blood fluidic device. We characterized the substrate and accounted for the biocompatibility using whole blood of healthy volunteers. We evaluated, the acute toxicity of substrates using rat (Wistar Albino) whole blood (CPCSEA registration number: 941/PO/Re/S/06/CPCSEA; 31/07/2019) and further studied major histopathological tissues for any toxicity. Finally, we evaluated 06 cancer patients whole blood (1.5 mL) for capturing and for the elimination of CTCs. The captured cells were immuno-stained, and the optimal fluorescence acquisition intensity was critically quantified in accounting CK18 protein overexpression. Results: The multi-component antibody EpCAM based substrate exhibited efficient CTC capture ability with a mean capture efficiency ranging from 40% to 100 % when compared to the OncoDiscover CTC test approved by CDSCO/ drug controller general of India (DCGI). Furthermore, the substrate indicated high biocompatibility primarily exhibited by the absence of haemolysis on whole human blood. Additionally, the preliminary animal experiments in rats showed a 100% survival rate and negligible toxicity to major organs. Conclusions: Removal of circulating tumor cells as a therapeutics is highly implicated in improving the overall survival of epithelial cancer patients. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Actorius Innovations and Research delivers regulatory-aligned cancer research solutions, enabling early detection, accurate monitoring, and impactful clinical decision support. Early is Everything. Transforming deep biological insight into precise, actionable outcomes—so decisions are made earlier, clearer, and with confidence. Know More OncoDiscover® The OncoDiscover® CTC Test is India's first DCG(I) approved blood test that detects circulating tumor cells to reveal early cancer spread before it's visible. Book a test now About We are in pursuit of identifying and developing life-saving solutions for global healthcare problems with a focus on cancer diagnostics and cure. Trusted by: 11000+ Patients Served 450+ Doctors Trust Us 100+ Publications 13+ Years of Excellence Why choose us? Our approach is grounded in rigorous research, advanced platforms, and a commitment to meaningful outcomes. Patented Techologies Proprietary innovations designed to deliver precision, reliability, and real-world impact. Regulatory Approved Regulatory-approved solutions built to meet the highest standards of safety, compliance, and clinical integrity. Our Publications More than 100+ publications in ASCO, AACR, ESMO, ISLB, etc Read our publications Latest from Actorius Explore the latest updates, research perspectives, announcements, and stories shaping our work. View all updates Press Release The Hidden Threat of a Single Cell: Dr. Jayant Khandare on How One Circulating Tumor Cell Can Restart the Cancer Journey 24 May 2026 Read More Publications ASCO 2026 : Association of circulating tumor cells with PD-L1 expression and clusters in confirmative tumor thrombus in selective solid cancers. 17 March 2026 Read More Publications ASCO 26: Assessment of circulating tumor cells and clusters expressing PD-L1 in urological cancers 17 March 2026 Read More Actorius in Action Stay updated with our latest events, scientific discussions, collaborations, and milestones that continue to shape the future of cancer research and innovation. View all events Events AACR 2026 Highlights | April 17-22 | San Diego, California 23 April 2026 Read More Events Meeting with our International KOLs 20 February 2026 Read More Events ISLB 2025 | 1-3 November 2025 3 November 2025 Read More © Copyright Actorius Innovations and Research In the News Explore how OncoDiscover® is making headlines in cancer research and diagnostics. View all mentions Startup Mantra: Making cancer detection more accessible Founded in 2013 by Jayant Khandare and Aravindan Vasudevan, the company has launched its first product, the ‘OncoDiscover Liquid Biopsy Test’, a minimally invasive test which can be performed multiple times requiring 1.5ml blood volume… August 6, 2022 Read More Pune scientists discover tech, first in India, to detect early spread of cancer. The new "OncoDiscover" technology discovered by a team led by Dr Jayant Khandare not only detects the early spread of cancer but doctors say it can also speed up the cancer detection process… August 24, 2019 Read More Pune scientists develop tech to detect early spread of cancer The 'OncoDiscover' technology has been approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, the national regulatory body for pharmaceuticals and medical ..… August 19, 2019 Read More FAQS Frequently asked questions Answers to commonly asked questions about Actorius and our offerings. What makes Actorius different from conventional diagnostics companies? Actorius focuses on understanding cancer at the cellular level and translating that insight into precise, actionable outcomes. Our platforms are designed to look deeper, act earlier, and support more confident decisions. Who are Actorius’ solutions designed for? Our solutions are built for clinicians, researchers, healthcare partners, and institutions seeking advanced tools for cancer detection, analysis, and monitoring. How does Actorius approach precision oncology? We combine advanced biomaterials, biological insight, and data-driven analysis to study cancer behavior in detail—enabling earlier detection and more targeted intervention. Are Actorius’ technologies research-only or clinically applicable? Our work spans both research and translational applications. Some solutions are designed for research use, while others are developed with clinical deployment in mind, subject to regulatory requirements. How can I stay updated on Actorius’ work and developments? You can explore our latest blogs, newsletters, press releases, case studies, and events in the Resources section to stay informed about our progress and insights. Know More Early detection is half the battle won. Empowering earlier insights so decisions can be made with confidence and care. Know More

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

Biofunctionalized capillary platform with 3D matrix for efficient CTC capture. Publications 17 January 2017 Manuscript: Biofunctionalized Capillary Flow Channel Platform Integrated with 3D Nanostructured Matrix to Capture Circulating Tumor Cells Continuous-flow 3D microchannel platform captures circulating tumor cells with ~90% efficiency, enabling liquid biopsy and real-time cancer monitoring. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood provide valuable genetic information for cancer diagnosis and overall disease monitoring. The analysis of “liquid biopsy” holds immense promise, as it may lead to new approaches for cancer treatment. This study reports an effective continuous-flow microchannel system for isolating CTCs using a transferrin-conjugated 3D matrix synthesized by crosslinking polyethylene glycol–Fe₃O₄ nanostructures. This design enables rapid and efficient capture of CTCs. The platform also allows the use of multiple microchannel units in series, which can enhance cell capture efficiency by increasing the frequency of cell–substrate contact. CTCs were captured with high efficiency even at low target cell concentrations, achieving approximately 90% capture efficiency at 25 cells per mL of blood. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that cell capture performance is influenced by topographic interactions between the nanostructure-based matrix and the cancer cells of interest. In addition, this work presents a proof of concept using a 3D microchannel system capable of simultaneously capturing and permanently eliminating CTCs from peripheral blood samples. The study also evaluates clinical samples from colon and breast cancer patients for the rapid isolation of CTCs. Conclusively, the platform demonstrates a strong capacity for cancer cell sorting, biological studies of CTCs, and investigation of cancer metastasis, potentially benefiting real-time liquid biopsy applications and early cancer prognosis. View Manuscript Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Combined CTC and ctDNA analysis improves monitoring of metastatic colorectal cancer. Publications 17 October 2025 Circulating Biomarkers Reveal their Complementary Association in Primary and Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Combined CTC and ctDNA analysis reveals strong prognostic value for monitoring progression and metastasis in colorectal cancer patients. Background Combined analysis of biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) overexpressing tumorigenic proteins offers insight into evolving genotypic transitions from primary tumors that lead to metastasis in distant organs. We report the comparative distribution of CTCs and ctDNA genomic profiling in patients stratified as primary colorectal cancer (CRC) patients alone and those with metastasis progression in the liver, lung, and lymph nodes. Methods Retrospectively, we analyzed 218 patients with primary CRC (n = 153; male n = 93 and female n = 60). Metastasis was accounted for in 65 patients, namely liver (n = 27), lung (n = 8), and lymph nodes (n = 30). A total of 285 peripheral blood samples (218 baseline and 67 follow-up) were analyzed for the distribution of CTCs and ctDNA with driver mutations. CTCs expressing PD-L1 were evaluated using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover platform using 1.5 ml of blood. CTCs were enumerated based on EpCAM+, CK18+, DAPI+, and CD45– markers using a Zeiss automated fluorescence microscope. Further, the OncoIndx comprehensive NGS assay was performed using a 1080-gene panel. Results At baseline, 64.8% of primary CRC patients had ≥1 CTC (mean CTC distribution ~1.1), while 55.9% of patients had detectable ctDNA. In patients with metastasis (n = 65), the mean CTC distribution was 1.8. Higher CTC distribution was observed in liver metastasis (41.5%), lymph node involvement (46.2%), and lung metastasis (12.3%). A total of 71.7% of patients had detectable CTCs, among which 88.2% showed PD-L1 expression, while 61.3% of patients had detectable ctDNA. Concordance rates were 83.7% and 100% between the presence of CTCs and ctDNA in baseline and follow-up samples from patients with primary cancer, respectively. Furthermore, a strong correlation was observed between elevated CTC counts and the presence of ctDNA mutations in key oncogenes, including KRAS, EGFR, and BRAF. Conclusions Higher co-occurrence of ctDNA with CTCs at both baseline and follow-up highlights the need for monitoring disease progression and assessing treatment response. Thus, combined analysis of CTCs and ctDNA provides significant prognostic value in metastatic colorectal 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

CTC monitoring tracks therapy response and disease progression in advanced cancers. Publications 7 June 2022 ASCO 2022: CTCs as a biomarker for monitoring: Disease progression, treatment response, and minimal residual disease. Study of 127 patients shows CTCs are a dynamic biomarker for monitoring disease progression and therapy response in advanced epithelial cancers. Background To analyze the role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as a confirmatory personalized biomarker for monitoring disease progression, disease burden, and minimal residual disease in epithelial origin cancers. Methods In this retrospective study, 127 patients with colorectal, breast, and ovarian cancer at stage III and IV were analyzed. The patients were at various stages of intensive chemo and radiotherapy while the CTCs were isolated and enumerated from 1.5 ml of blood. The decision to continue chemotherapy or change to oral metronomic therapy was based on the presence of circulating tumor cells in Stage III. While in stage IV, serial measurement of CTCs guided therapy. CTCs were isolated using the OncoDiscover platform possessing EpCAM antibody-based immunomagnetic targeting of magnetic nanoparticles after RBC lysis. CTCs were imaged and identified as CK18+ and CD45- cells showing a well-defined nucleus using a motorized fluorescence microscope operational with a monochrome camera. CTCs were enumerated using automated image analysis software and counts were expressed as the number per 1.5 ml of blood. Results In this retrospective study, we analyzed blood samples from 127 patients with advanced-stage epithelial cancers (breast: 50%, ovarian: 27%, colorectal: 23%) for the presence of CTCs. Amongst those, 52% showed the presence of CTCs (breast: 52%, ovarian: 46%, colorectal: 58%). The CTC count ranged between 1-5 / 1.5 ml of blood with mean and median values of 2 and 1. Among the CTC positive population, the majority had a CTC count of 1 (44.4%), while more than 2 CTCs were observed in 11% of the population. CTC clusters were detected in 13% of the population, which predominantly were stage IV patients. 67% among the follow-up patients showed a decrease in CTC count from the baseline due to the prescribed treatment, while 22% of patients showed an increase in CTC count from the baseline. 11% of patients did not show a change in CTC count from the baseline. When CTC count was investigated as an independent variable to monitor the therapeutic response, it correlated well with positive or negative outcomes. In a few representative cases, the reduction of CTC numbers from the basal value was indicative of effective treatment. Exceptionally, in a representative colorectal cancer case, a PET scan showed no primary as well as secondary tumor burden, but the presence of CTCs in blood led to further investigating an abdominal MRI that indicated multiple liver lesions suggesting micro-metastasis. Subsequent to SIRT treatment, the patient showed complete tumor regression and the absence of CTCs in peripheral blood. Conclusions Our data suggest that CTCs can serve as a dynamic intermittent biomarker for monitoring disease progression in advanced stages and assessing the therapeutic response, thus emphasizing the role of CTCs in personalized cancer management. 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

Micropatterned surfaces enable selective cancer cell capture and real-time monitoring. Publications 17 January 2018 Manuscript: Selective Cell Isolation by Transferrin Functionalized Silane– Carbon Soot Mediated Superhydrophobic Micropatterns Transferrin-functionalized wettability micropatterns enable selective cancer cell capture and real-time monitoring for diagnostics and recurrence detection. Surfaces that facilitate selective cell adhesion using specific targeting moieties have significant implications in diagnostics, tissue engineering, and high-throughput screening. However, designing robust and spatially confined micropatterns for selective cell isolation on portable platforms remains highly challenging. Here, wettable silane (Si) micropatterns with covalently attached transferrin (Tf) for targeting Tf-overexpressing cancer cells are reported. These micropatterns are separated by carbon soot–based superhydrophobic regions, which transform the targeting sites into surface tension–confined “microwells.” These microwells facilitate the capture of human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT116) and human cervical adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa) by confining their attachment to the wettable regions, thereby making the isolation and spotting of targeted cells more efficient. In addition, owing to its transparent nature, the Tf-conjugated wettability-based patterned chip enables real-time optical monitoring of cell adhesion, cell growth, and cell behavior. The specific cell isolation enabled by such surfaces has potential applications in developing cancer recurrence monitoring tests. Advanced Material Interfaces 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

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

CTC monitoring in breast cancer detects MRD and supports post-surgery surveillance. Publications 3 November 2025 Association of Circulating Tumor Cell Dynamics with Patient-Reported Cancer Worry in Post-Surgical Breast Cancer Patients Circulating tumor cell monitoring before and after breast cancer surgery reveals minimal residual disease and correlates with post-surgical cancer worry. Introduction Early detection of metastasis is important for improving overall survival in breast cancer (BC) patients. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a role in detecting minimal residual disease (MRD). In an ongoing cohort, we evaluated the association between CTC dynamics before and after surgery performed with curative intent. Additionally, we assessed cancer-related worry in post-surgical BC patients. Methods A total of 75 CTC tests were performed on 55 female BC patients, of whom 20 were follow-up cases. In an ongoing IEC-approved clinical cohort, 10 BC patients were enrolled using a quantitative, non-probability purposive sampling method. CTC counts, including clusters, were measured both pre-surgery and 24 hours post-surgery. PD-L1 expression on CTCs was assessed using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover platform. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were evaluated using the Breast-Q Cancer Worry scale, a validated subscale reflecting fear of recurrence and related concerns. Statistical analysis compared PROM scores with CTC patterns, including increase, persistence, or clearance. A paired sample t-test was applied to compare pre- and post-operative PROM scores to evaluate changes in cancer-related worry in relation to CTC counts. Results Among the 75 tests performed in 55 BC patients, 84.5% were CTC-positive, with a mean of 1.43 CTCs per test. In longitudinal monitoring of 10 female BC patients who underwent surgery, six received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by breast-conserving surgery, while four underwent surgery without prior chemotherapy. Overall, 40% (4/10) showed a reduction in CTC counts, and 20% (2/10) achieved complete CTC clearance after surgery. Patients with increased post-surgery CTC counts reported a significant increase in cancer-related worry. The mean pre-surgery score was 43.9, which increased to 51.8 after surgery. These findings suggest the need for targeted emotional and psychological support in the post-surgical period and highlight the role of CTC monitoring in assessing MRD. Conclusions Monitoring CTCs strengthens their potential as an early indicator of residual disease by providing important clinical insights into tumor activity during the operative phase. Further validation is warranted to support more integrated, patient-centered care approaches aimed at reducing the burden of advanced 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

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