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Manuscript | 11 April 2023 Manuscript: Chemical tunability of advanced materials used in the fabrication of micro/nanobots Review on chemically tunable micro- and nanobots for targeted nanomedicine, highlighting AI materials, applications, and biosafety considerations. Micro and nanobots (MNBs) are unprecedented in their ability to be chemically tuned for autonomous tasks with enhanced targeting and functionality while maintaining their mobility. A myriad of chemical modifications involving a large variety of advanced materials has been demonstrated to be effective in the design of MNBs. Furthermore, they can be controlled for autonomous motion and for their ability to carry chemical or biological payloads. In addition, MNBs can be modified to achieve targetability with specificity for biological applications. However, MNBs, by virtue of their chemical compositions, may face limitations related to biocompatibility, tissue accumulation, poor biodegradability, and potential toxicity. This review presents a note on artificial intelligence materials (AIMs), their importance, and the dimensional scales at which intrinsic autonomy can be achieved for diverse applications. We briefly discuss the evolution of such systems with a focus on their advancements in nanomedicine. We highlight MNBs by covering their contemporary traits and the emergence of a few start-ups in specific areas. Furthermore, we showcase various examples demonstrating that chemical tunability is an attractive primary approach for designing MNBs with immense capabilities in both biology and chemistry. Finally, we discuss biosafety and ethical considerations in designing MNBs in the era of artificial intelligence for varied applications. View Manuscript Never Miss a Breakthrough. Get the latest news and innovations from OncoMetastat delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Press Release | 9 August 2022 Revolutionary OncoDiscover® Blood Test for Early Cancer Detection - Metro News Gujarat Dr. Jayant Khandare interview with Metro News Gujarat Watch Video Never Miss a Breakthrough. Get the latest news and innovations from OncoMetastat delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Manuscript | 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 Never Miss a Breakthrough. Get the latest news and innovations from OncoMetastat delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Manuscript | 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 Never Miss a Breakthrough. Get the latest news and innovations from OncoMetastat delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Publications | 4 June 2024 ASCO 2024: Effect of circulating tumor cells in clinically stable patients on the conundrum of recurrence with cellular residual disease. CTC detection with PD-L1 expression reveals residual disease despite negative radiological findings in treated cancer patients. Background Despite no evidence of disease by radiological imaging, up to 30% of breast cancer cases are known to relapse after treatment with curative intent. The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in stage I–II cancer patients signals the activation of extravasation and invasion processes leading to micro-metastasis and may result in poor outcomes. CTCs in blood circulation at any stage of cancer indicate detectable minimal cellular disease (MCD). Thus, the longitudinal investigation of patients with such biomarkers remains highly important for predicting recurrence, therapy escalation, and dose modifications. The expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on CTCs is a dynamic biomarker, and these cells may escape elimination by the immune system, indicating progression toward a metastatic phenotype. Methods Retrospectively, a cohort of 20 cancer patients (including lung, colorectal, breast, stomach, etc.) who had recently undergone treatment were investigated for the presence of CTCs using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover platform. The platform contains multi-component systems conjugated with anti-EpCAM antibodies on magnetic nanoparticles. All patients clinically represented stable disease based on previous radiological findings. CTC enumeration was performed using CD45-, EpCAM+, and CK18+ markers, along with the evaluation of PD-L1 overexpression in 1.5 ml of peripheral blood using automated motorized Zeiss fluorescence microscopy. Results Despite no radiological evidence of disease and clinically stable status, 75% (n = 15) of the selected patients showed at least one CTC. Among them, 55% (n = 11) had one CTC, 5% (n = 1) had two CTCs, and 15% (n = 3) had three CTCs. In addition, 50% (n = 10) of patients demonstrated PD-L1 expression on CTCs, while one patient exhibited a CTC cluster. Conclusions Patients showed circulating residual disease (CRD) despite clinically stable disease, indicating possible progression from localized to secondary disease. Longitudinal monitoring of CTCs with PD-L1 expression may reveal real-time residual disease, progression, regression, and actual response to treatment. CRD monitoring can improve curative outcomes by potentially enhancing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in solid cancers. Know more Never Miss a Breakthrough. Get the latest news and innovations from OncoMetastat delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Publications | 17 September 2024 ESMO 2024: True single-circulating tumor cell genomics reveals enriched therapy-resistance signatures in advanced colorectal cancer patients Single CTC genomics reveals actionable mutations and therapy resistance signatures not detected in paired ctDNA in advanced colorectal cancer. Background Plasma ctDNA (circulating tumor DNA) has emerged as a novel biomarker for detecting genomic alterations and for longitudinal monitoring of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. However, nearly 30% of patients show no mutations detected, potentially missing opportunities for companion therapy. Single circulating tumor cell (sCTC) genomics can provide greater sensitivity in detecting actionable targets. We report comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of live sCTCs and paired ctDNA from an advanced CRC patient population. Methods Retrospectively, live sCTCs and CTC clusters were isolated from six patients with stage IV CRC using OncoRADAR technology. Whole genomes of sCTCs were amplified and target-enriched using hybridization capture with OncoIndx, a comprehensive 1080-gene panel, to generate sequencing libraries. These libraries were sequenced on the Illumina NextSeq 2000 platform in paired-end mode with a sequencing depth of 500×. Raw sequence alignment and variant calling were performed using iCare software. Paired ctDNA samples were processed similarly but sequenced at a higher depth of 5500×. Results A total of 22 sCTCs were isolated, including four CTC clusters. The combined mutational landscape revealed 142 clinically relevant mutations, including 65 missense (45.77%), 25 nonsense (17.61%), 16 frameshift (11.27%), 7 indels (4.93%), 10 splice variants (7.04%), and 19 structural variants (13.38%). NRAS was the most frequently mutated gene, occurring in 52% of samples, followed by SMO (47.6%), TAP1 (42.85%), and TP53 (42.5%). In paired ctDNA samples, TP53 (66%), KRAS (50%), and TAP1 (33.33%) were the most frequently mutated genes. At the individual gene level, a 40% concordance was observed between sCTC and ctDNA. The genomic profile of sCTCs was particularly enriched with mutations in proliferative and stemness-maintenance signaling pathways, including NRAS:p.A146T and SMO:p.V392G, suggesting potential therapy evasion mechanisms. CTCs also showed a higher accumulation of immunotherapy resistance signatures, including loss-of-function mutations in STK11 and STAT5B, which were not detected in paired ctDNA samples. Conclusions The genomic profile of sCTCs exhibited enriched mutations in proliferative and stemness-maintenance signaling pathways. Therapy resistance signatures were more prevalent in sCTCs compared to ctDNA and may provide important clinical insights, particularly for patients who cannot provide tissue biopsy samples or show negative ctDNA results. Know more Never Miss a Breakthrough. Get the latest news and innovations from OncoMetastat delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Publications | 3 June 2024 ASCO 2024: Effect of circulating tumor cells (CTC) and CTC clusters with PD-L1 dynamic biomarker on cellular burden in patients with ovarian cancer. CTCs with PD-L1 expression in ovarian cancer reveal minimal residual disease and may guide immunotherapy and early metastasis monitoring. Background In the precision oncology era, monitoring treatment response using circulating blood-based biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is rapidly being evaluated and established. The leading cause of mortality in ovarian cancer patients is delayed diagnosis and the inability to effectively select patients for targeted therapies, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) agents. Treatment for ovarian cancer usually involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. However, postoperative resection and therapy with curative intent often fail to account for minimal cellular disease (MCD). The dissemination of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represents minimal residual disease (MRD), which may diffuse and cause micro-metastasis through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and bio-mechanistic activation in blood circulation. Simultaneous detection of overexpression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on CTCs as a dynamic biomarker may be useful for assessing patients for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Methods In a retrospective analysis of real-world data, peripheral blood samples from 75 ovarian cancer patients were analyzed for the presence of CTCs, with and without PD-L1 expression, and for the presence of CTC clusters. CTCs were detected using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover platform from 1.5 ml of peripheral blood. The platform is a multifunctional magneto-nanosystem mediated by anti-epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies. CTCs were identified as positive when EpCAM+, CK+, PD-L1+, DAPI+, and CD45- markers were present. PD-L1 expression on CTCs was analyzed based on the linear intensity gradients of fluorescence signals using image acquisition on an automated Zeiss microscope. Results Baseline sample analysis showed that 86% (n = 65) of patients had at least one CTC per 1.5 ml of blood. The CTC distribution ranged from 1 to 9 CTCs. Among the patients with CTCs, 46.15% (n = 30) showed PD-L1 expression. Notably, the highest number of CTCs (~26.7%, n = 23) was observed in the 41–50 age group. Additionally, 8% (n = 6) of the total patients showed the presence of CTC clusters. The presence of CTCs with PD-L1 expression and CTC clusters did not show a correlation with factors such as staging, follow-ups, metastasis, or disease-free survival (DFS) status. Conclusions We observed the presence of minimal cellular disease (MCD) and minimal residual disease (MRD) in ovarian cancer patients despite treatment with curative intent. Detection of CTCs, CTC clusters, and PD-L1 overexpression as real-time dynamic biomarkers may help assess early metastasis, disease progression, and regression. These biomarkers may also support the selection of patients suitable for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy when tissue samples are inadequate or unavailable, potentially improving clinical outcomes. Know more Never Miss a Breakthrough. Get the latest news and innovations from OncoMetastat delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

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 Never Miss a Breakthrough. Get the latest news and innovations from OncoMetastat delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Manuscript | 27 January 2026 Manuscript: Real-Time Therapy Response Monitoring Using Surface Biomarkers on Circulating Tumor Cells Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cancer cells shed from primary tumors into the bloodstream, are emerging as dynamic, non-invasive biomarkers for real-time cancer monitoring, especially when tissue biopsies are inaccessible or inadequate... Simple summary Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which are cancer cells shed from primary tumors into the bloodstream, are emerging as dynamic, non-invasive biomarkers for real-time cancer monitoring, especially when tissue biopsies are inaccessible or inadequate. Unlike static tissue samples, CTCs allow repeated assessments that track tumor evolution, therapeutic response, and minimal residual disease. Hence, CTCs offer a minimally invasive, real-time alternative to tissue biopsies for cancer monitoring, particularly through surface protein biomarkers like PD-L1, HER2, and EGFR. As detection technologies improve and the clinical relevance of CTCs continues to be established, CTC profiling is poised to significantly influence the future of precision oncology. Abstract Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are shed from the primary tumor into the bloodstream and represent dynamic molecular biomarkers for monitoring the progression of cancer. While profiling tumor tissues with overexpression of cell surface markers, such as PD-L1 or HER2, is standard in guiding therapy, tissue samples are often inaccessible and inadequate, especially post-surgery or in cases of recurrence. Emerging clinical evidence indicates that CTC counts and biomarker surface expression can predict prognosis and therapeutic resistance more accurately than imaging or tissue-based approaches. Recent advancements in CTC detection methods, based on physical properties or surface markers (e.g., EpCAM), coupled with next-generation sequencing (NGS), have enabled the isolation of these rare cells and their molecular characterization. Consequently, CTCs provide a real-time alternative, enabling repeated, longitudinal assessment of tumor phenotype and therapeutic response. This review emphasizes the translational potential of surface protein biomarkers on CTCs for profiling, namely PD-L1, HER2, and EGFR, as a clinically actionable approach to stratify patients, guide immunotherapy decisions, and monitor minimal residual disease (MRD), especially when longitudinal tissue biopsies are not feasible. View Manuscript Never Miss a Breakthrough. Get the latest news and innovations from OncoMetastat delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

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 Never Miss a Breakthrough. Get the latest news and innovations from OncoMetastat delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Publications | 30 August 2026 Capture of Cancerous Cells and Overall Survival in Rats using Ex-vivo Extracorporeal Device in Multiple Onco-dialysis Cycles An animal study evaluated OncoMetastat for ex-vivo cancer cell capture, safety, and survival in rats. Across multiple onco-dialysis cycles, cancer cells were captured, all test-group rats survived 14 days, and histopathology showed normal tissues. Introduction: The micrometastatic cascade involves the progression of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant organs. Capture and elimination of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may potentially delay metastasis; however, demonstrating this in ex-vivo models remains highly challenging. Here, we demonstrate cancer cell capture, safety, and overall survival in rats using an ex-vivo extracorporeal device across multiple onco-dialysis cycles. Methods: In this animal observational study (IAEC/2025-26/M2/15), 12 White Wistar Albino rats were subjected to onco-dialysis using the miniature OncoMetastat device containing anti-EpCAM antibody-coated glass beads. For safety evaluation, rats were anesthetized, and 1 ml of blood was obtained from the retro-orbital artery, heparinized, and exposed to the device. Subsequently, 0.3 ml of blood was re-injected through the tail vein, and the animals were monitored for changes in temperature and signs of anaphylactic shock. DAPI-pre-stained MCF-7 cells (0.5 × 10⁶) were injected via the rat tail vein (n=6). After 15 minutes, 1 ml of blood was withdrawn from the retro-orbital artery, heparinized, circulated through the OncoMetastat device, and 0.3 ml was recirculated into the rats. Glass beads were analyzed for cancer cell capture across cycles I–III, with 48 hours of rest between cycles. Animals were monitored for 14 days for overall survival (OS) and subsequently sacrificed for histopathological evaluation. Results: Eleven of the 12 rats demonstrated safety following exposure to the onco-dialysis device. A total of 23 cells were captured across three rats over three cycles. In Rat 1, 9, 5, and 1 cells were captured in cycles I, II, and III, respectively, with a mean of 5.0 cells. In Rat 2, 3, 2, and 1 cells were captured across cycles I–III, respectively. In Rat 3, 1, 1, and 0 cells were captured across cycles I–III, respectively. The mean distribution of captured cells across all rats was 7.67/ml. Overall survival was observed in both groups, although one rat in the control group experienced mortality. All rats in the test group survived the 14-day observation period. Histopathological evaluation revealed normal tissues in device-exposed rats. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the safety and capture of cancer cells using an ex-vivo extracorporeal device across multiple onco-dialysis cycles in rats, with all test-group animals surviving the 14-day observation period and showing normal tissue histopathology. Know more Never Miss a Breakthrough. Get the latest news and innovations from OncoMetastat delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Manuscript | 20 September 2023 Manuscript: Magnetically-activated, nanostructured cellulose for efficient capture of CTCs from the blood sample of head and neck cancer patients Study compares CNC and CNF cellulose nanostructures for EpCAM-based CTC capture in head and neck cancer, enabling affordable real-time cancer monitoring. In this report, the relative efficiency of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and nanofibers (CNFs) to capture circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the blood samples of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients was evaluated. Detection and enumeration of CTCs are critical for monitoring cancer progression. Both types of nanostructured cellulose were chemically modified with epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibody and iron oxide nanoparticles. The EpCAM antibody facilitated the engagement of CTCs, promoting their entrapment within the cellulose cage structure. Iron oxide nanoparticles, on the other hand, rendered the cages magnetically activatable, enabling the capture and separation of entrapped CTCs using a magnet. The efficiency of the network structures was demonstrated using blood samples from head and neck cancer patients. It was observed that the degree of chemical functionalization of hydroxyl groups within the CNCs or CNFs with anti-EpCAM determined the efficiency of the system’s interaction with CTCs. Furthermore, the results indicated that the inflexible scaffolds of nanocrystals interacted more efficiently with CTCs than the fibrous CNF scaffolds. Network structures derived from CNCs demonstrated comparable CTC-capturing efficiency to the commercial standard, OncoDiscover®. The findings of this work provide chemical design principles for cellulosic materials intended to construct affordable platforms for monitoring cancer progression in real time. View Manuscript Never Miss a Breakthrough. Get the latest news and innovations from OncoMetastat delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe