Diagnostic Device Tracks Cancer

A new diagnostic device that monitors circulating tumor cells in a patient with metatastic cancer enables oncologists to more quickly gauge a patient's response to prescribed treatment, thereby allowing them to evaluate and adjust the treatment regimen accordingly.

Called CellTracks, the device uses a sophisticated cell-isolation process to isolate and stain cells, using immunomagnetic cell capture, in order to capture one circulating tumor cell from billions of cells in a tube of blood. CellTracks' AutoPrep system adds reagents to each blood specimen, and through a series of additional process steps it aspirates the unlabeled blood cells. This reduces sample volume from 7.5 ml to 320 ul. The resulting 320 ul sample contains a concentration of the circulating tumor cells. This final enriched sample is dispensed into a cartridge, which is scanned by the CellTracks Analyzer II.

With the tumor cells magnetically labeled, the use of robotics correctly positions probes and moves the required magnets to allow for the magnetically labeled cells to be directed to specific locations in the sample tube and through a series of stations on the instrument, ultimately resulting in an enriched sample. The fluidic module controls fluid movement to and from the bulk fluid module attached to the instrument.

CellTracks is manufactured by Astro Instrumentation LLC (Strongville, OH, USA) and Immunicon Corp. (Huntingdon Valley, PA, USA). An important component of the CellTracks AutoPrep system is a quick disconnect coupling made by Colder Products Company (St. Paul, MN, USA).

"We hope that by identifying and counting the circulating tumor cells, physicians can have a better understanding of the disease status in a patient in a relatively short amount of time,” observed Michael Kagan, vice president of operations at Immunicon. "Precise control of the waste and buffer supply is vital to the ability of the system to isolate circulating tumor cells and determine a correct count. Use of the Colder connection not only prevents air bubbles and leaks in the fluidic system, it also allows easier access and handling of these fluid lines by the operator.”



Related Links:
Astro Instrumentation
Immunicon