Innovative Simultaneous Cell Isolation Technology Enhances Cancer Diagnostic Accuracy
A groundbreaking cell isolation system improves cancer diagnosis by simultaneously capturing tumor cells and fibroblasts, enhancing liquid biopsy precision.
Recent advancements in cell separation technology have demonstrated the potential to significantly improve cancer diagnostics. A novel automated system enables the simultaneous isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (cCAFs) from blood samples, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the tumor microenvironment. This breakthrough was achieved through the development of the CTCeptor platform, which has shown superior performance compared to traditional FDA-approved methods, capturing a higher number of CTCs and cCAFs with remarkable efficiency.
In a comparative study involving early-stage breast cancer patients, the CTCeptor system detected at least 15 times more CTCs than established methods like CellSearch and Parsortix. Notably, it also identified cCAFs at about ten times higher frequency than CTCs, revealing the heterogeneity of CAF markers in blood-derived cells—an insight that was previously difficult to obtain. These findings underscore the system's ability to analyze both tumor cells and microenvironment components from a single blood draw, thereby enhancing the sensitivity and precision of liquid biopsies.
The research, a collaborative effort with the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and CTCELLS, was published in "Analytical Chemistry." The study demonstrated that the CTCeptor technology not only captures diverse tumor cells regardless of size or EpCAM expression but also overcomes limitations linked to cell deformability inherent in size-based filtering methods. This dual capability opens new avenues in early cancer detection and treatment monitoring.
According to Professor Minseok Kim from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, this innovative approach allows for comprehensive analysis of tumor and stromal cells, offering valuable insights into the tumor microenvironment that can accelerate drug development and personalized therapy strategies. Overall, this technology marks a significant advancement in liquid biopsy, promising improved accuracy in early cancer diagnosis and ongoing disease management.
Learn more about this research in the original study: Hyeong Jung Woo et al, "Robust Automated Separation of Circulating Tumor Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts for Enhanced Liquid Biopsy in Breast Cancer," Analytical Chemistry, 2025. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c02154].
[Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-simultaneous-cell-isolation-technology-clinical.html]
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
Research Investigates How AI Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy in Healthcare
A groundbreaking study examines how large language models improve differential diagnosis accuracy, promising better patient care and reduced healthcare costs.
Addressing Transportation Challenges in Hawai'i's Rural Healthcare System with Policy Solutions
Hawaiʻi’s rural communities face significant transportation barriers impacting healthcare access. A new report proposes policy solutions including expanding ambulance fleets, improving interisland flights, and supporting community clinics to enhance health equity across the islands.
Higher Normal Sodium Levels Associated with Greater Heart Disease Risk
A new study reveals that sodium levels at the higher end of the normal range may increase the risk of hypertension and heart failure, highlighting the importance of hydration in cardiovascular disease prevention.
