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Circulating tumor DNA in head and neck cancer

Liquid biopsy targeting viral ctDNA holds promise as a diagnostic and surveillance tool for head and neck cancer. The study aims to monitor treatment response and assess minimal residual disease (MRD) to adapt treatment via precision oncology.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateJul 30, 2026

UNC Lineberger awarded up to $28 million to develop an adaptive clinical trial for metastatic breast cancer

The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center has developed an adaptive clinical trial for metastatic breast cancer, leveraging $28 million in funding from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The study aims to adapt treatment plans in near real-time using tumor biopsies, blood samples, and biomarkers.

Lighting up cancer cells with biolasers

Researchers have developed a way to detect circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream using biolasers, which can provide valuable information about the DNA organization inside cancer cells. The technique has been successfully tested on pancreatic and lung cancer patients, showing high accuracy rates of up to 99%.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2025

A multiplex assay to assess activated p300/CBP in circulating prostate tumor cells

A new multiplex assay has been developed to assess activated p300/CBP in circulating prostate tumor cells, revealing correlations with clinical outcomes and potential therapeutic targets for castration-resistant prostate cancer. The study found that patients with upregulated p300/CBP activity had shorter response times to ARSI therapy.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2023

Breast cancer spreads at night

Researchers found that circulating cancer cells form metastases mainly during sleep phases, with higher cell division rates at night, suggesting a link between hormone regulation and tumor growth. This discovery highlights the need for healthcare professionals to record the time of biopsies to ensure comparable data.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2022

UCLA researchers develop mechanism for characterizing function of rare tumor cells

Researchers at UCLA have created a quick and effective mechanism to measure how circulating tumor cells perform functions that drive disease, such as producing proteins that degrade tissue. The new approach enables scientists to understand how tumor cells act, rather than just what they are made from.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 17, 2018

Developing the VTX-1 liquid biopsy system: Fast and label-free enrichment of circulating tumor cells

The VTX-1 Liquid Biopsy System is a commercial, automated instrument that isolates clinically relevant CTC populations directly from whole blood. It achieves high recovery rates of spiked breast and lung cancer cell lines, with purities as low as <100 white blood cells per mL of processed blood.

Sorting cells with sound waves

Researchers have devised a new way to separate cells by exposing them to sound waves as they flow through a tiny channel, overcoming existing cell-sorting technologies' limitations. The device successfully recovered about 71 percent of breast cancer cells from white blood cells in tests.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 26, 2014

Liquid biopsy could improve cancer diagnosis and treatment

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a microfluidic chip that can capture elusive circulating tumor cells from blood, supporting their growth for further analysis. This technology has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment by providing accurate prognoses and testing treatment options on cultur...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 30, 2013

Catch and release

A novel microchip device, inspired by sea creatures' long appendages, can detect and capture rare cancer cells from whole blood patient samples. The device's three-dimensional DNA network targets specific molecules, allowing for efficient cell capture and high purity.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 12, 2012