Methods for Detecting Cancer Cells

The present application describes a highly sensitive assay for distinguishing between cancer and non-cancer epithelial cells in the blood. It provides an improved diagnostic technique for detecting cancer and determining the organ-origin of the cancer. This assay can be used to prove the neoplastic nature of cells and predict when shed tumor cells have or will become metastatic. A major advantage of the present invention is that tumor cells can also be recovered as viable cells. Thus, the tumor cells can be kept alive in vitro for a sufficient period of time to determine the effect of particular anti-tumor pharmaceuticals on the cells. Furthermore, the assay provides an early detector of treatment success or failure and thereby allows a treatment regimen to be customized for an individual patient with advanced primary cancer.

Inventors:

Karl Ried (NHGRI)  ➽ more inventions...

Evelin Schrock (NHGRI)  ➽ more inventions...


Intellectual Property:
PCT Pat: - issued -
US Application No. 09/937,864 filed on 2000-12-31

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OTT Reference No: E-211-1998-0
Updated: Dec 1, 2003