We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Innovative Bio-Detection Platform Improves Early Cancer Screening and Monitoring

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 13 Mar 2025

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally, underscoring the critical need for more advanced, efficient, and early detection methods. More...

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cells that have detached from the primary tumor and are circulating in the blood. These cells carry genetic and cellular information from the tumor and can provide essential insights into the characteristics of the primary tumor. The precise diagnosis and detailed analysis of CTCs through multi-omics technologies are vital for early cancer screening, disease monitoring, as well as for the development of therapies like cell treatments and mRNA vaccines targeted at specific antigens and cancer cells, enhancing personalized cancer care. CTCs offer valuable data for clinical applications, including early detection, diagnostics, treatment planning, and efficacy monitoring. However, due to the limitations of current detection technologies, the full potential of CTCs in cancer monitoring and early detection has not yet been fully realized.

In response to this need, a pioneering research project led by scientists at the City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK, Kowloon, Hong Kong) is focused on creating an innovative platform for early cancer detection and personalized treatment. The project’s goal is to enhance CTC detection, marking a significant step forward in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The next-generation CTC detection platform will offer improved sensitivity and specificity, addressing clinical demands in cancer early screening, diagnosis, and therapy. Researchers at CityUHK have been concentrating on biochips and nanotechnology for molecular diagnostics and therapeutics.

The team is currently working on developing a platform that integrates microfluidic chip technology with immune-microparticle isolation methods, which will efficiently and sensitively detect CTCs based on their physical and biological properties. The system will consist of an automated CTC sorting instrument, a cell staining device, an imaging system, and reagent kits for profiling CTC proteins and genes. This comprehensive setup will facilitate CTC counting, classification, and detailed analysis of CTC proteins and genetic markers, ultimately supporting cancer early screening, diagnosis, treatment selection, efficacy evaluation, prognosis, and fulfilling the needs of precision medicine.

“The challenges of CTC detection lie in the low number of CTCs in blood samples, complexity of CTCs and the blood matrix, which requires efficient and specific techniques for their enrichment and characterization, and to expand CTC-based cultures for further extensive analysis, further to paving the way for personalized cancer vaccines and cell-based treatments,” said Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, who is leading the research team. “The project is dedicated to establishing and commercializing a CTC detection system for cancer screening and monitoring within the next two years, to increase the early detection rate and improve treatment efficacy and quality of life for patients.”

Related Links:
CityUHK


Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
Pipette
Accumax Smart Series
Gold Member
Immunochromatographic Assay
CRYPTO Cassette
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New evidence shows viscoelastic testing can improve assessment of blood clotting during postpartum hemorrhage (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Viscoelastic Testing Could Improve Treatment of Maternal Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage, severe bleeding after childbirth, remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, yet many of these deaths are preventable. Standard care can be hindered by delays... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The tool enables scientists to track real-time fluctuations in T cell function with unprecedented speed and precision (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Luminescent Probe Measures Immune Cell Activity in Real Time

The human immune system plays a vital role in defending against disease, but its activity must be precisely monitored to ensure effective treatment in cancer therapy, autoimmune disorders, and organ transplants.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The collaboration supports clinical validation and regulatory submissions of the new T1D 4-plex assay on Revvity’s GSP instrument (Photo courtesy of Revvity)

Revvity and Sanofi Collaborate on Program to Revolutionize Early Detection of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a lifelong autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys the pancreas’s insulin-producing beta cells, leading to dependence on insulin therapy. Early detection is critical... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.