How We Can Support the Drug Development Pipeline

CTCs and CECs as prognostic indicators in cancer

Source BioScience provides whole genome analysis and transcriptome sequencing to support drug development using Illumina Sequencing technology. We can also extract genomic material from circulating cells and analyse whole genome sequences using Illumina next generation technology. Extracellular domains (ECDs) can also be analysed in serum.

Source BioScience uses the CellSearch™ System for the enumeration of Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) and Circulating Endothelial Cells (CECs) from human peripheral blood.

The platforms used for analysis are the CellTracks® AutoPrep Station and the CellTracks® Analyser II. The AutoPrep System fully automates and standardises the blood sample preparation process whilst the unique cartridge format of the Analyser II makes fully quantifiable CTC/CEC measurements possible.

We are pleased to announce that Jo Brewer of AdaptImmune is the winner of our CTC competition. Jo wins an iPod touch, and we would like to congratualte Jo on her lucky win.

CTCs

• The CellSearch™ Circulating Tumour Cell Kit is FDA approved for in vitro diagnostic(IVD) use in metastatic breast, metastatic colon and metastatic prostate cancers
• The enumeration of CTCs is a proven prognostic indicator
• Can be used experimentally for many other epithelial origin carcinomas (e.g. ovary,head and neck)
• A valuable tool for supportive pharmacodynamic measurements in clinical trials
• Can assist patient management in directing or re-directing therapeutic regimes
• Generates supportive data through the additional profiling of isolated cells

CECs

This platform technology can also be utilised to analyse circulating endothelial cells (CEC's), important in vasculitis associated with cardiovascular, diabetes, respiratory disease, as well as angiogenesis in cancer.

Specialist profiling of isolated cells

Specialist staining can also be carried out on isolated cells. This includes HER2, EGFR, MUC1 and other cell differentiation (CD) markers. Indeed any FITC or PE labelled commercially available antibody can be validated and utilised in parallel with the CellSearch™ System.

Progenitor cells may also be isolated for analysis.

Source BioScience is the only commercial reference laboratory providing CTC and CEC analysis in Europe.

Recommended references:

• Global Gene Expression Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells
• Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients with Breast Cancer Dormancy

For instructions to submit a CTC test, please click here.

Contact:
Email:   CTC
Telephone:   +44(0)115 973 9012