Analysis of circulating tumor cells, fragments, and debris

Abstract From the Canadian patent

The methods and reagents described in this invention are used to analyze circulating tumor cells, clusters, fragments and debris. Analysis is , performed with a number of platforms including flow cytometry and the , CellSpotter®* fluorescent microscopy imaging system. Analyzing damaged cells has shown to be important. However there are two sources of damage: in , vivo and in vitro. Damage in vivo occurs by apoptosis necrosis, or immune , response. Damage in vitro occurs during sample acquisition handling, transport, processing, or analysis. It is therefore desirable to confine reduce, eliminate, or at least qualify in vitro damage to prevent it from interfering in analysis. Described …