Device for the enumeration and continuous removal of circulating tumor cells in improving overall survival of epithelial cancer patients.

Abstract

e15043 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 over-expression. 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.