TEDx Talk — by Aravindan Vasudevan – CEO, Actorius Innovations and Research Expert Insights | February 28, 2023 TEDx Talk — Capturing cancer cells-Uncovering secrets for treatments by Aravindan Vasudevan – CEO, Actorius Innovations Aravindan discusses innovative cancer research in early detection, precision medicine, tumor modeling, and liquid biopsy for advanced cancer insights. Describing cancer cell as the ‘Perfect Villain’ and focusing on how we could help eradicate its conception altogether, Aravindan talks about how they have successfully been able to research and develop various ways to detect early, decode cancer diversity with precision medicine, mimic the tumor microenvironment and liquid biopsy that helps find markers of cancer that has travelled through the bloodstream. Aravindan Vasudevan is the co-founder of Actorius Innovations and Research. At Actorius, Aravindan was part of the team which developed the OncoDiscover – Circulating Tumor Cell Technology, India’s first indigenously developed DCGi approved IVD technology. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. TEDx Talk Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/aravindan_vasudevan_capt Watch video Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Actorius Meeting with Oncology KOLs in US and Europe Events | February 20, 2026 Meeting with our KOLs Our team meeting with oncology KOLs from the US and Europe. Meeting with Oncology KOLs in USA and Europe We had the opportunity to engage with leading oncology KOLs across the USA and Europe, including Dr. Klaus Pantel , Dr. Catherine Alix-Panabières , Dr. Umberto Malapelle , and Dr. Ravindra Kolhe . The discussions centered around our latest innovation, OncoMetastat® , and explored emerging advancements in oncology—particularly in circulating tumor cell (CTC) research and the biology of metastasis. OncoMetastat® is our patented investigational extracorporeal blood-processing platform, inspired by blood-dialysis principles. It is designed to selectively capture circulating tumor cells directly from a patient’s bloodstream while preserving overall blood integrity. By enabling real-time interaction with CTCs, the platform aims to go beyond detection—offering the potential to study tumor behavior dynamically and generate deeper biological insights into disease progression. Importantly, OncoMetastat® is also being evaluated for its potential to reduce circulating tumor burden through selective capture, opening new possibilities in adjunct therapeutic strategies and early intervention in the metastatic cascade. Built with a strong emphasis on precision, safety, and scalability, the technology represents a step toward integrating diagnostics and intervention within a single platform. These insightful exchanges with global experts reinforce our commitment to advancing precision-driven cancer care through collaboration, innovation, and a deeper understanding of cancer biology. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

CTCs track progression across early-stage breast cancer molecular subtypes. Publications | June 6, 2023 ASCO 2023: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detection and isolation in different subtypes of early-stage breast cancer patients from Bangladesh. A trial found CTCs in 60% of early-stage breast cancer patients, notably all HER2-positive cases, linking them to tumor grade. Send the next! Background Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous pathophysiology characterized by poor outcomes. Due to the increasing incidence and disease progression rates and undefined relapse periods, reliable disease monitoring is a challenge and has remained an unmet need. Advancements in liquid biopsy have significantly enhanced our understanding of clinical oncology. CTC-based liquid biopsy is emerging as a reliable prognostic tool to predict various clinical indicators. Although extensively investigated in metastatic breast cancers, little is known about CTCs in early-stage breast cancers. CTCs with respect to different molecular subtypes of breast cancer in early-stage breast cancer patients is evaluated. Methods In this prospective clinical trial (CMC 59.27.0000.013.19 PG.009.2022/262), 40 early-stage patients with luminal (A + B, 33.33%), HER2-positive (12.8%), triple-negative (12.8%), and undetermined (41.07%) subtypes were recruited. CTCs were isolated in 1.5 ml blood using the Drug Controller General of India approved OncoDiscover CTC test. This platform contains affinity-based magnetic nanoparticles to mediate EpCAM-based CTC isolation. CTCs were detected as CK18+, DAPI+, and CD45- cells using a fluorescence detection-based automated digital imaging platform. Results CTCs were detected in 60% of patients with a mean CTC count of 1 cell / 1.5 ml blood. Among total positive patients, the luminal subtype was the least positive (46%), followed by TNBC (60%) and undetermined (62.5%) subgroups, while all HER2-positive patients showed the presence of CTCs. Besides individual cells, CTC clusters were detected in 12.5% of patients, and they were equally distributed in luminal and HER2-positive subpopulations. When analyzed on the scale of tumor grade, grade I patients did not show the presence of CTCs, while 58.33% of grade II patients had ≥ 1 CTC. All grade III patients showed the presence of ≥ 1 CTC. CTC count was high among CTC-positive grade II patients (average 2 CTCs) and correlated well with the presence of CTC clusters in these patients. Patients who had surgical intervention had a low CTC burden compared to patients who did not have a surgical resection. 75% of treatment-naive patients showed the presence of CTCs, while 58% of patients receiving chemotherapy alone showed the presence of 1 CTC. 50% of patients who had surgery followed by CT + RT showed the presence of 1 CTC. Conclusions The presence of CTCs may suggest the biological progression of disease in early-stage BC patients. CTCs detected in all HER2-positive patients suggested the high shedding nature of these tumors, which correlates well with their reported migratory tendency. The presence of CTCs did not show a clear correlation with the treatment regimen. However, this data is based on a single time point and needs longitudinal correlation with CTCs on a larger sample size. Clinical Trial Information 59.27.0000.013.19 PG.009.2022/262. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

PD-L1 on CTCs and ctDNA enables real-time monitoring of breast cancer progression. Publications | June 3, 2025 PD-L1 expression on circulating tumor cells and CTC clusters as a minimal cellular disease in breast cancer patients. This breast cancer study shows high prevalence of PD-L1–positive circulating tumor cells, supporting their role in minimal residual disease and metastasis risk. Background Tumor-derived components, such as dual biomarkers including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), provide comprehensive real-time insights into the tumor microenvironment. Minimal cellular residual disease (MCRD), dynamic cell surface protein overexpression, residual tumor burden after curative-intent resection, and decisions regarding adjunct therapy or therapy de-escalation are critical aspects of patient management. Similar to the PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) in tissue samples, PD-L1 expression on CTCs represents a promising dynamic biomarker, particularly in the context of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT may contribute to immune evasion by deactivating T cells, thereby facilitating micro-metastatic progression, which remains challenging to detect and manage. In this study, we report PD-L1 expression as a dynamic biomarker on circulating tumor cells across early- to late-stage breast cancer patients. Methods In this retrospective analysis, peripheral blood samples from 1,294 breast cancer patients were evaluated for the presence of CTCs, PD-L1 expression on CTCs, and CTC clusters. CTCs were enumerated using the OncoDiscover platform, approved by CDSCO-India, from 1.5 mL of peripheral blood. The system consists of a multi-component magneto-nanosystem mediated by anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies. CTCs were identified based on EpCAM⁺, CK18⁺, DAPI⁺, and CD45⁻ markers. PD-L1 expression on CTCs was quantified using linear intensity gradients of fluorescence signals acquired through an automated Zeiss microscope. Additionally, a computational model was developed to evaluate mean CTC distribution, perform regression analysis, and assess CTC predictability. Results CTC counts ranged from 1 to 20 per 1.5 mL of blood. At baseline analysis, 73.20% (n = 978) of patients had ≥1 CTC. Among patients with detectable CTCs, 87.69% (n = 406 of 463) exhibited PD-L1 expression. The highest proportion of total CTCs (~21.61%, n = 1,125) was observed in the 41–50-year age group. The highest frequency of CTC clusters (~29.08%, n = 41) and PD-L1–positive CTCs (~42.91%, n = 324) was observed in the 51–60-year age group. CTC clusters were detected in 2.71% (n = 141) of total patients. The mean CTC count (including clusters) was 3.90, while the mean PD-L1–positive CTC count was 3.40. The computational model demonstrated a correlation between blood-based outcomes and normal probability scores. Conclusions The observed inter-patient heterogeneity suggests potential biological and pharmacodynamic relevance of both CTCs and PD-L1 expression. Larger clinical studies are warranted to further evaluate PD-L1 expression on CTCs, particularly in early-stage cancers. Patients with minimal cellular residual disease, despite the absence of radiographic evidence, may represent a higher-risk group for metastasis progression and may benefit from enhanced stratification strategies. View Publication Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Non-hemolytic adsorbents for toxin isolation, disease tracking & therapy efficacy. Patents | October 20, 2025 Non-hemolytic compositions and methods of use for recovering disease-causing toxic constituents in the blood A non-hemolytic adsorbent composition designed to isolate, quantify, and remove disease-causing toxic constituents from blood, supporting disease identification, monitoring, and therapeutic efficacy validation. Patent Details The present disclosure relates to non-hemolytic adsorbent compositions useful for isolating, enumerating, accounting, and removing the disease-causing toxic constituents in the blood. The said compositions are useful in identifying the disease, disease status, and validating the efficacy of the therapeutic treatment being administered for the treatment of the disease. Methods for isolating, enumerating, accounting, and removing disease-causing toxic constituents in the blood as well as monitoring the disease status and validating the efficacy of the therapeutic treatment being administered for the treatment of the disease are disclosed. Related patent documents US20210106742 WO/2021/074786 CA3154234 IN202044044657 View Patent Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Actorius Innovations at ASCO Annual Meeting 2026 Publications | March 17, 2026 ASCO 2026: Continual depletion of circulating tumor cells using an automated device enriched with affinity glass bead substrates in breast and CRC patient's whole blood. Automated OncoMetastat device captures and depletes CTCs in colorectal and breast cancer, aiding detection of minimal residual disease and metastasis risk. Abstract Background Despite no radiological or pathological evidence of disease, about 25–50% of stage II–III colorectal cancer (CRC) and early-stage breast cancer (BC) patients are known to experience recurrence. The presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) traits represents aggressive systemic disease. Through autonomous oncogenic activation, epithelial cells acquire invasive properties that enable metastasis. A high EMT score combined with immune checkpoint expression, such as PD-L1, may allow tumor cells to evade immune surveillance. Following curative-intent surgery and therapy, CTCs represent minimal cellular residual disease (MCRD) and serve as strong predictors of recurrence. In this study, we present an automated extracorporeal device designed to capture, analyze, and deplete CTCs for further clinical evaluation. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 66 patients, including stage II–III CRC patients (n = 41) and breast cancer patients (n = 25). Whole blood samples were processed to deplete CTCs using the OncoMetastat device. Among the CRC patients, 12 were female and 29 were male. The average age of BC and CRC patients was 53.6 and 58 years, respectively. The device consists of a spiral channel (127 × 85 × 5 mm; spiral span: 66 mm; width: 4 mm) 3D-printed using biocompatible resin and filled with anti-EpCAM antibody–conjugated glass beads (GB). The system includes a controller and a peristaltic pump that circulates blood in and out of the spiral channels. Vibrational energy induces motion in the glass beads to enhance cell capture. Hemolysis, protein binding, leukocyte adsorption, and CTC capture efficiency were evaluated. CTC capture efficiency was compared with the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover CTC technology in India. Blood samples were pumped into the device and incubated with affinity-enriched glass beads for 30 minutes under constant vibration (200 Hz) to enhance CTC capture and prevent blood stagnation. CTCs were confirmed using CK18⁺, DAPI⁺, and CD45⁻ markers and analyzed using an automated fluorescence microscope. Results A total of 48 CTCs were detected in 58% (38/66) of patients. CTC positivity was slightly higher in breast cancer patients (60.0%) compared with CRC patients (56.1%). The mean CTC distribution was 0.73 overall, with CRC and BC both showing mean values of 0.73 and 0.72, respectively. The negative predictive value (NPV) was determined to be 0.86 (86%). Automated scanning demonstrated 100% efficiency in detecting CTCs. Low leukocyte adhesion was observed with anti-EpCAM–coated glass beads. White blood cell (WBC) counts varied by cancer type, with mean counts of 4.9 × 10⁶/mL for breast cancer and 3.9 × 10⁶/mL for colorectal cancer, both lower than healthy controls (6.9 × 10⁶/mL). Clinically insignificant hemolysis (<1%) and minimal protein binding (~1.5%) were observed in the spiral channel. Glass beads subjected to vibrational energy demonstrated enhanced CTC sequestration, achieving over 90% cell capture efficiency compared with vibration-free conditions. Conclusions This study demonstrates efficient CTC depletion in 66 CRC and breast cancer patients using an automated extracorporeal device. Early-stage CRC and BC patients with detectable CTCs may have a higher risk of developing distant metastasis. Therefore, following complete remission, the use of an extracorporeal device to deplete CTCs could potentially reduce the risk of metastatic progression. View Publication Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Liquid biopsy may replace invasive procedure to detect cancer Press Release | April 23, 2020 Times of India | Liquid biopsy may replace invasive procedure to detect cancer: Experts Liquid biopsy may replace invasive procedure to detect cancer: Experts Read the article Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

OncoDiscover Blood Test Detects Cancer Relapse Early | Dr. Jayant Khandare Expert Insights | August 28, 2022 Revolutionary Blood Test Detects Cancer Relapse Early | Dr. Jayant Khandare Discover India's first approved, highly affordable blood test that detects cancer relapse and metastasis earlier than traditional CT or MRI scans. Developed by Dr. Jayant Khandare and clinically validated with Tata Memorial Hospital, this painless test catches circulating tumor cells before it's too late. Cancer relapse and metastasis are responsible for the vast majority of cancer-related fatalities, often because traditional imaging tools like CT and MRI scans fail to catch the disease's return in time. This video highlights a groundbreaking and highly affordable blood test—India's first-in-class medical device approved by the Drug Controller General of India. Developed by Dr. Jayant Khandare, the OncoDiscover test requires only a small volume of blood to identify circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and detect minimal residual disease before it becomes uncontrollable. Clinically validated in partnership with Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, this painless innovation provides oncologists with a powerful tool to monitor patients, optimize treatment, and ensure families never have to hear the dreaded words, "It's too late." Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

CTC counts correlate with OSCC stage and aggressive pathological features in India. Publications | March 15, 2020 ASCO 2020: Correlation of CTCs with disease progression in Indian oral cancer patients. In 230 OSCC patients, CTC counts correlated with cancer stage and aggressive features, proving CTCs are a reliable marker for disease stratification. Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the leading cancer in India, with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) as the most frequent subtype. OSCC is classified as a locoregional disease, and its increased frequency is attributed to a lack of effective biomarkers compared to other epithelial cancers. At the time of diagnosis, above 50% of cases present with advanced-stage disease and are predisposed to treatment failure despite appropriate intervention. Thus, early diagnosis of OSCC can significantly reduce the disease burden. Here, we describe a regulatory-approved method to establish the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in Indian OSCC patients and its positive correlation with various clinicopathological parameters, suggesting the potential use of CTCs as a significant parameter to stratify oral cancer with respect to disease advancement. Methods In a cross-sectional observational study, 230 OSCC patients at different pathological stages of the disease and treatment modes were enrolled. CTCs were isolated using the approved OncoDiscover liquid biopsy technology (approved by the Drug Controller General of India), a platform based on immunomagnetic CTC enumeration. CTCs were detected for CK18 presence and well-defined, DAPI-stained nuclei. Enumerated CTCs were subsequently analyzed for various clinicopathological parameters such as pathological stage (pStage), extra-capsular spread (ECS), lymphovascular emboli (LVE), perineural invasion (PNI), and depth of invasion (DOI). CTC cut-off values were obtained to differentiate early vs. advanced stages with respect to different clinical stages and parameters. Results CTCs of OSCC patients correlated positively with cancer stages (clinical as well as pathological) as well as aggressive pathological features. In the presence of aggressive pathological features that often suggest a poor disease outcome, we observed a 25–50% increase in CTC numbers. Early-stage, treatment-naive patients had a lower number of CTCs. The mean CTC number in advanced-stage patients was 50% higher than in early-stage OSCC patients. Conclusions Considering the positive correlation of CTC numbers with various pathophysiological features, CTCs can be contemplated as a reliable parameter to predict disease outcome in oral cancer. The consistent presence of CTCs across all disease stages also suggests the probable nature of OSCC as a biological systemic disease. Clinical Trial Information CTRI/2018/03/012905. Know more Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Magnetically activated nanocellulose enables efficient CTC capture in head & neck cancer. Publications | September 20, 2023 Manuscript: Magnetically-activated, nanostructured cellulose for efficient capture of CTCs from the blood sample of head and neck cancer patients Study compares CNC and CNF cellulose nanostructures for EpCAM-based CTC capture in head and neck cancer, enabling affordable real-time cancer monitoring. In this report, the relative efficiency of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and nanofibers (CNFs) to capture circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the blood samples of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients was evaluated. Detection and enumeration of CTCs are critical for monitoring cancer progression. Both types of nanostructured cellulose were chemically modified with epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibody and iron oxide nanoparticles. The EpCAM antibody facilitated the engagement of CTCs, promoting their entrapment within the cellulose cage structure. Iron oxide nanoparticles, on the other hand, rendered the cages magnetically activatable, enabling the capture and separation of entrapped CTCs using a magnet. The efficiency of the network structures was demonstrated using blood samples from head and neck cancer patients. It was observed that the degree of chemical functionalization of hydroxyl groups within the CNCs or CNFs with anti-EpCAM determined the efficiency of the system’s interaction with CTCs. Furthermore, the results indicated that the inflexible scaffolds of nanocrystals interacted more efficiently with CTCs than the fibrous CNF scaffolds. Network structures derived from CNCs demonstrated comparable CTC-capturing efficiency to the commercial standard, OncoDiscover®. The findings of this work provide chemical design principles for cellulosic materials intended to construct affordable platforms for monitoring cancer progression in real time. View Manuscript Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Actorius Innovations at ASCO Annual Meeting 2026 Publications | March 17, 2026 ASCO 2026 : Association of circulating tumor cells with PD-L1 expression and clusters in confirmative tumor thrombus in selective solid cancers. Study shows circulating tumor cells with PD-L1 expression in tumor thrombus patients, indicating active dissemination and potential metastatic risk. Abstract Background Tumor thrombus (TT) refers to the direct extension of tumor cells into a blood vessel and is often detected incidentally. It is commonly observed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and Wilms tumor. The presence of TT significantly worsens prognosis and alters disease staging. TT is frequently located in vessels such as the renal vein, inferior vena cava, and portal vein, requiring multidisciplinary evaluation due to its aggressive nature and risk of obstruction or embolization. Diagnostic differentiation between tumor thrombus and a “bland” thrombus (blood clot) typically relies on imaging techniques such as CT or MRI. In this study, we evaluated the association and potential role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) expressing immune-relevant markers, such as PD-L1, in patients with tumor thrombus. The presence of CTCs originating from TT margins may help refine risk stratification and therapeutic decision-making. Methods In this observational study, 12 patients aged 51–80 years with confirmed tumor thrombus were analyzed. The cohort included patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n = 4), pancreatic cancer (n = 3), liver cancer (n = 3), renal cell carcinoma (RCC, n = 1), and gallbladder cancer (GB, n = 1). Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of CTCs with PD-L1 expression at baseline, and three patients also had follow-up samples. Samples were processed using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover CTC enrichment technology. CTCs were identified using an automated Zeiss microscope based on EpCAM⁺, CK18⁺, DAPI⁺, CD45⁻, and PD-L1⁺ markers. Results A total of 16 CTCs were detected in 10 patients (83.33%) from 1.5 mL blood samples, with counts ranging from 1 to 6 CTCs per patient. At baseline, patients with HCC, pancreatic, RCC, gallbladder, and other cancers showed the presence of PD-L1–expressing CTCs. Follow-up samples revealed persistent CTC positivity, although the number of PD-L1–positive CTCs decreased. The mean CTC distribution was 1.33 for CK18-expressing CTCs. PD-L1–positive CTCs were detected in a substantial subset, with a mean distribution of 0.67 (9 CTCs among 12 patients), indicating immune-evasive potential. CTC clusters were rare and detected in only one HCC patient but persisted during follow-up. Both male and female patients demonstrated comparable CTC positivity. Conclusion The presence of CTCs in peripheral blood highlights active tumor cell dissemination from tumor thrombus margins. Although CTC clusters were infrequent, their occurrence may indicate an increased metastatic risk. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the presence of CTCs originating from tumor thrombus margins entering systemic circulation. Further studies are required to better understand their clinical implications. View Publication Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer. Get the latest news and innovations from Actorius delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for regular updates Email* Yes, subscribe me for regular updates. * Subscribe

Explore our innovative patents. Discover the power of innovation and precision in our groundbreaking patent solutions. Patents & Certifications Proof of Precision. Power of Innovation. We are committed to utmost scientific rigour. Every product at Actorius Innovations and Research undergoes intense design and development. Our products are patented worldwide. We follow the most stringent quality norms (ISO13485) and applicable regulatory requirements for medical devices (rules 2017) Oct 20, 2025 Non-hemolytic compositions and methods of use for recovering disease-causing toxic constituents in the blood A non-hemolytic adsorbent composition designed to isolate, quantify, and remove disease-causing toxic constituents from blood, supporting disease identification, monitoring, and therapeutic efficacy validation. Read More Feb 13, 2023 Devices and methods for recovering disease-causing toxic constituents in the blood A cost-effective, high-efficiency nanosystem for rapid circulating tumor cell enumeration. Read More Apr 22, 2021 Multifunctional magneto-polymeric nanosystems for rapid targeting, isolation, detection and simultaneous imaging of circulating tumor cells A multifunctional magneto-polymeric nanosystem for rapid targeting, isolation, detection, and imaging of circulating tumor cells to support cancer diagnostics and monitoring. Read More Feb 26, 2020 Polymer based formulation for release of drugs and bioactives at specific GIT sites. A polymer-based formulation designed for targeted release of drugs and bioactives at specific gastrointestinal sites, including the stomach, intestine, and colon. Read More First Prev 1 Page 1 Next Last