Didn't find what you were looking for?

Automated OncoMetastat device enables CTC removal to support cancer therapy outcomes. Publications November 3, 2025 Automated Continual Flow Device to Deplete Circulating Tumor Cells using Spiral Cartridge Mediated by Antibody and Transferrin Glass Substrate Automated OncoMetastat device captures and depletes circulating tumor cells from whole blood safely, supporting extracorporeal cancer therapy and monitoring. Introduction Despite no radiological evidence of minimal residual disease, up to 25–50% of colorectal cancer (CRC) stage II–III and breast cancer cases experience relapse. Identifying patients at risk of recurrence remains challenging, as approximately 90% of cancer-related deaths are associated with metastasis. The role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in extravasation and seeding of distant organs is well established; however, their extracorporeal isolation has not been widely demonstrated in routine practice. Current ex vivo CTC isolation systems often require complex setups and extensive manual handling. In this study, we present an automated device designed to capture and remove CTCs from whole blood using biocompatible cartridges mediated by antibody- and transferrin-conjugated glass bead substrates. Methods We developed the OncoMetastat touchscreen-based operational control device, integrating six roller peristaltic pumps and a cartridge containing 680 targeting 2 mm glass beads functionalized with anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies and transferrin protein. The device housing (365 × 200 × 30 mm) contains a bi-spiral channel (95 × 95 × 10 mm) with 680 beads and eight cross-section channels (3.50 × 3.55 mm). A 3D-printed spring-loaded quick-release mechanism ensures secure tube attachment and rapid cartridge exchange. Flow performance, hemolysis, protein adsorption, and leukocyte interaction were evaluated using blood samples from healthy individuals and cancer patients across multiple cancer types, including breast, CRC, lung, and head and neck cancers. Pyrogenicity was assessed in rabbits according to ISO 10993-11 guidelines. Results The device maintained stable blood circulation at 0.5 mL/min for 5–10 mL whole blood samples using a dual snap-fit holder with a 2° angled offset. The peristaltic pump ensured consistent flow without compromising sample integrity. The bead-filled spiral channel effectively retained CTCs, while the integrated design reduced manual handling and improved reproducibility. Low hemolysis (1%), along with reduced serum protein and leukocyte interactions, was observed in both healthy and cancer patient samples. Selective CTC capture was demonstrated in 24 clinical samples across cancer types. All materials passed pyrogenicity testing, with no temperature elevation observed in accordance with guidelines. Conclusions The OncoMetastat device successfully depleted CTCs from cancer patient whole blood without adversely affecting blood components. The automated system provides stable blood flow and demonstrates proof of performance for extracorporeal CTC removal, with potential to enhance cancer therapy outcomes. 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

Actorius Innovations at AACR 2026 Publications March 17, 2026 AACR 2026: Over expressing PD-L1 circulating tumor cells with clusters in prostate cancer patients Study shows high prevalence of PD-L1–positive circulating tumor cells in prostate cancer, highlighting their value for monitoring disease progression and immune evasion. Abstract Background Prostate cancer (PC) detection remains challenging due to the limited specificity and sensitivity of current screening methods, including PSA testing. PSA testing does not reliably distinguish aggressive disease from indolent forms, often leading to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), however, offer greater clinical value by providing real-time insights into tumor biology, disease progression, and treatment response. Unlike PSA, CTCs represent a dynamic biomarker reflecting systemic minimal cellular residual disease (MCRD), which can support monitoring and guide personalized prostate cancer management. In addition, the overexpression of PD-L1 on CTCs provides insight into immune evasion mechanisms and may have predictive and prognostic value in prostate cancer. In this study, we report the capture of CTCs, including PD-L1–positive cells and CTC clusters, in prostate cancer patients. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 239 prostate cancer patients to evaluate the presence of PD-L1–positive CTCs and CTC clusters. The cohort included 216 (90.4%) baseline samples and 23 (9.6%) follow-up samples. CTCs were isolated using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover Test (India), which employs anti-EpCAM antibody–based immunomagnetic enrichment from 1.5 mL of blood. CTCs were identified as CK18⁺/DAPI⁺/CD45⁻ cells with PD-L1 expression and distinct morphology. Automated fluorescence imaging was used to quantify signal intensities and correlate them with clinicopathological parameters. Patients were stratified by age, and quantitative analyses of CTC positivity, PD-L1 expression, and CTC cluster frequency were performed. Results CTCs were detected in 173 patients (72.4%), while 66 patients (27.6%) were CTC-negative. Among 157 evaluable samples for PD-L1 expression, 131 (54.8%) were PD-L1 positive and 26 (10.9%) were negative. CTC clusters were observed in 19 patients (11%), while 154 patients (89%) exhibited only single CTCs. At baseline, CTCs were detectable in 70.4% of patients, increasing to 91.3% in follow-up samples. PD-L1–positive CTCs were observed in 52.3% of patients at baseline and 85.7% at follow-up. Additionally, PD-L1–positive CTC clusters increased from 10.5% at baseline to 13.1% at follow-up. The predominant age groups were 61–70 years (39.0%) and 71–80 years (39.9%), together comprising nearly 80% of the cohort. The mean distribution of CTC counts per patient was 1.14 for total CTCs, 0.95 for PD-L1–positive CTCs, and 0.12 for CTC clusters. Conclusion A high prevalence of CTCs and PD-L1 expression was observed among prostate cancer patients, particularly in older age groups. The detection of PD-L1–positive CTCs highlights the presence of confirmatory MCRD and circulating disease. Although the incidence of CTC clusters was relatively low, their presence may indicate more aggressive disease phenotypes. 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

Magneto-polymeric nanosystems for rapid CTC targeting, detection & imaging. Patents April 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. Patent Details Related patent documents CA2976614 TH175113 WO/2016/132265 EP3259598 ES2828025 PL3259598 US20230408525 Granted Canadian, European and Indian Patent Actorius Innovations and Research Pvt. Ltd. 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

Chemical tunability of advanced materials used in the fabrication of micro/nanobots Publications April 11, 2023 Manuscript: Chemical tunability of advanced materials used in the fabrication of micro/nanobots Review on chemically tunable micro- and nanobots for targeted nanomedicine, highlighting AI materials, applications, and biosafety considerations. Micro and nanobots (MNBs) are unprecedented in their ability to be chemically tuned for autonomous tasks with enhanced targeting and functionality while maintaining their mobility. A myriad of chemical modifications involving a large variety of advanced materials has been demonstrated to be effective in the design of MNBs. Furthermore, they can be controlled for autonomous motion and for their ability to carry chemical or biological payloads. In addition, MNBs can be modified to achieve targetability with specificity for biological applications. However, MNBs, by virtue of their chemical compositions, may face limitations related to biocompatibility, tissue accumulation, poor biodegradability, and potential toxicity. This review presents a note on artificial intelligence materials (AIMs), their importance, and the dimensional scales at which intrinsic autonomy can be achieved for diverse applications. We briefly discuss the evolution of such systems with a focus on their advancements in nanomedicine. We highlight MNBs by covering their contemporary traits and the emergence of a few start-ups in specific areas. Furthermore, we showcase various examples demonstrating that chemical tunability is an attractive primary approach for designing MNBs with immense capabilities in both biology and chemistry. Finally, we discuss biosafety and ethical considerations in designing MNBs in the era of artificial intelligence for varied applications. 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

ML models using CTCs predict surgery and adjuvant therapy success in HNSCC. Publications June 7, 2022 ASCO 2022: Machine learning (ML)–enabled, circulating tumor cell–based classification of patients for non-prerequisite adjuvant therapy. An XGBoost ML model using CTCs and clinical data achieved 84% accuracy in predicting the need for adjuvant therapy in 380 HNSCC patients. Background Oncology implicates the highest precision using next-generation diagnostics and progressive therapies assisted by predictive tools. If validated clinically, machine learning (ML) can provide better insights in precision oncology. Furthermore, it may longitudinally stratify the progression of cancer disease burden in real time. We have developed a circulating tumor cells (CTCs) driven ML model as a predictor for the treatment decision strategy for both surgery and adjuvant therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Methods In this study, a total of 380 HNSCC patients who underwent either surgery alone or surgery plus adjuvant therapy were accounted for. CTCs in patients were stratified based on clinicopathological parameters and using the OncoDiscover platform having an anti-EpCAM antibody system regulated by the Drug Controller of India. Following this, we explored the predictive performance of the ML model on the usefulness of adjuvant therapy in HNSCC patients after the surgery. The available data was randomly divided into two subsets. First, 75% of the original data was applied for training the ML, and the rest 25% of the data was used as a test set. Survival curves were generated by the Kaplan–Meier method and calculated through the log-rank test. Results The XGBoost machine learning classifier was superior to Random Forest and SVM-based analyses in predicting the usefulness of adjuvant therapy post-surgery using CTCs alone or in combination with other clinical parameters in HNSCC patients. Machine learning algorithms were compared for predicting the accuracy of patient stratification. The results for each model were: XGBoost model (Accuracy = 0.84, ROC value = 0.73, Kappa = 0.43); Random Forest model (Accuracy = 0.81, ROC value = 0.70, Kappa = 0.41); SVM model (Accuracy = 0.76, ROC value = 0.69, Kappa = 0.40). The ROC value of the XGBoost model was highest (0.73), while the ROC value for the SVM model was lower (0.69). We observed that when CTCs were combined with clinicopathological parameters, the accuracy, kappa values, and AUC-ROC drastically improved in predicting the usefulness of adjuvant therapy post-surgery. A similar trend was observed when CTCs were combined with clinicopathological parameters in predicting the line of chemotherapy post-surgery. Conclusions ML-enabled, CTC-driven predictions can be highly accurate and ascertain the patient treatments. CTCs can be a positive predictor for selecting a patient’s treatment regimen in both surgery as well as in the type of treatment (e.g., surgery alone or surgery + adjuvant therapy). It can also be implicated to classify the patients and determine who necessitates additional adjuvant therapy. Further investigations in this direction are necessary to predict the treatment options based on ML that may improve the overall survival of cancer patients. 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

Inverse 3D lab-on-chip microfilms for selective CTC capture from blood. Publications July 15, 2024 Manuscript: Inverse 3D ‘lab-on-a-chip’ polymeric microfilms for selective capture of circulating tumor cells from patients' blood Inverse 3D lab-on-chip microfilms for selective CTC capture from blood. Engineering inverse 3D polymeric microfilms with controlled spatial hierarchy is both highly challenging and critically important at the intersection of biology and materials science. These structures hold significant potential for enhancing selective cell–surface interactions, including cell adhesion and growth. Protein-modified inverse 3D polymeric microfilms can further promote selective cell capture and adhesion. In this study, we report the fabrication of inverse 3D polymeric microfilms using composite polymeric–bioligand conjugated films designed to enhance the capture of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the blood of cancer patients. The microfilms were developed using functionalized poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), mediated with the ligand transferrin. Protein immobilization on the films was achieved by conjugating transferrin (Tf), collagen (Co), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) to promote cellular adhesion and capture. The films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR), and contact angle measurements, revealing micropores ranging from 18–26 μm. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) demonstrated enhanced cell attachment on the polymeric-blend microfilms, confirming improved cell adhesion, capture, and the ability of cells to proliferate within the 3D structure. The inverse 3D polymeric microfilms achieved an 80% cell capture efficiency with cultured cancer cells. In clinical utility, their CTC capturing efficiency was comparable to OncoDiscover® CTC enumeration technology. These inverse 3D polymeric microfilms represent a novel ‘lab-on-a-chip’ platform capable of enabling CTC enumeration for monitoring minimal residual disease (MRD), tracking metastatic progression, evaluating treatment response, and enabling early detection of relapse. 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

Magnetic nanocrystals capture tumour cells from blood samples Press Release April 11, 2024 Magnetic nanocrystals capture tumour cells from blood samples These nanomaterials could speed up discovery of anti-cancer drugs Cellulose-based magnetic nanocrystals and nanofibres can capture circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from the blood samples of head and neck cancer patients. A magnet is used to separate the trapped tumour cells, which are then identified under a fluorescence microscope. This technique could potentially be used to monitor cancer progression in real time, says an international team, which included researchers at North Dakota State University, USA, the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, and Actorius Innovations and Research, and Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, both in Pune. Click the below link to read the full article. 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

Discover groundbreaking events where innovation meets action in oncology. Join us to explore the future of biotechnology events today! Events & Coferences Where Innovation Meets Action Stay updated with our latest events, scientific discussions, collaborations, and milestones that continue to shape the future of cancer research and innovation. Read More April 23, 2026 AACR 2026 Highlights | April 17-22 | San Diego, California Highlights from AACR 2026 Read More February 20, 2026 Meeting with our KOLs Our team meeting with oncology KOLs from the US and Europe. Read More November 3, 2025 ISLB 2025 | 1-3 November 2025 Actorius ISLB 2025 | 1-3 November 2025 Read More October 17, 2025 ESMO 2025 | 17–21 October 2025 Actorius at ESMO 2025 Read More May 9, 2025 ISMRC 2025 | 7-9 May, 2025 Actorius at ISMRC 2025 First Prev 1 Page 1 Next Last

CaP-crowned CNT nanocapsules enable pH-triggered intracellular anticancer drug delivery. Publications April 17, 2015 Manuscript:Calcium phosphate nanocapsule crowned multiwalled carbon nanotubes for pH triggered intracellular anticancer drug release Calcium phosphate–capped carbon nanotubes enable pH-triggered intracellular release of doxorubicin, preventing premature drug leakage and improving targeted cancer therapy. We report calcium phosphate (CaP) nanocapsule–crowned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT–GSH–G4–CaP) as a novel platform for the intracellular delivery of an anticancer drug. As a proof of concept, the CNT–GSH–G4–CaP system demonstrates the release of the anticancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) within intracellular lysosomes from the interior cavity of the CNT through pH-triggered CaP dissolution. Importantly, we found that CNTs capped with a CaP nanolid can efficiently prevent premature drug release at physiological pH, while promoting DOX release in more acidic environments, such as those found in subcellular compartments like lysosomes (pH ≈ 5.0). This “zero premature release” characteristic is of significant clinical importance for delivering cytotoxic drugs, as it helps reduce systemic toxicity and enhances the effectiveness of anticancer treatment. We envision that this pH-triggered CaP-crowned CNT nanosystem could lead to a new generation of self-regulated platforms for the intracellular delivery of a wide range of anticancer drugs. 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

Dr. Jayant Khandare interview with Metro News Gujarat Press Release August 9, 2022 Revolutionary OncoDiscover® Blood Test for Early Cancer Detection - Metro News Gujarat Dr. Jayant Khandare interview with Metro News Gujarat 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 and ACTREC Partner to Advance Clinical Cancer Research. Press Release February 5, 2026 Actorius and ACTREC Partner to Advance Clinical Cancer Research. A collaborative research initiative to study the practical utility of Circulating Tumor Cells and their capture and depletion from patient's blood as possible aid to adjunct therapeutics. Big step forward for Actorius Innovations and Research 🙌 Actorius recently signed an MOU with Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer(ACTREC) to collaborate on clinical studies and research spanning - practical utility of Circulating Tumor Cells and their capture and depletion from patient’s blood as possible aid to adjunct therapeutics. Slowing down or blocking metastasis cascade in early stage patients. Extremely bold and breakthrough innovation hypothesis. This partnership is about taking science closer to patients—generating meaningful real-world evidence, strengthening translational research, and asking the right clinical questions where it truly matters. The MOU was signed by Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi , Director, ACTREC, and Dr. Jayant Khandare , Co-Founder & CSO, Actorius Innovations and Research. Excited about what lies ahead and the impact this collaboration can create together. Aravindan Vasudevan Rick Kamble 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 monitoring in breast cancer detects MRD and supports post-surgery surveillance. Publications November 3, 2025 Association of Circulating Tumor Cell Dynamics with Patient-Reported Cancer Worry in Post-Surgical Breast Cancer Patients Circulating tumor cell monitoring before and after breast cancer surgery reveals minimal residual disease and correlates with post-surgical cancer worry. Introduction Early detection of metastasis is important for improving overall survival in breast cancer (BC) patients. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a role in detecting minimal residual disease (MRD). In an ongoing cohort, we evaluated the association between CTC dynamics before and after surgery performed with curative intent. Additionally, we assessed cancer-related worry in post-surgical BC patients. Methods A total of 75 CTC tests were performed on 55 female BC patients, of whom 20 were follow-up cases. In an ongoing IEC-approved clinical cohort, 10 BC patients were enrolled using a quantitative, non-probability purposive sampling method. CTC counts, including clusters, were measured both pre-surgery and 24 hours post-surgery. PD-L1 expression on CTCs was assessed using the CDSCO-approved OncoDiscover platform. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were evaluated using the Breast-Q Cancer Worry scale, a validated subscale reflecting fear of recurrence and related concerns. Statistical analysis compared PROM scores with CTC patterns, including increase, persistence, or clearance. A paired sample t-test was applied to compare pre- and post-operative PROM scores to evaluate changes in cancer-related worry in relation to CTC counts. Results Among the 75 tests performed in 55 BC patients, 84.5% were CTC-positive, with a mean of 1.43 CTCs per test. In longitudinal monitoring of 10 female BC patients who underwent surgery, six received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by breast-conserving surgery, while four underwent surgery without prior chemotherapy. Overall, 40% (4/10) showed a reduction in CTC counts, and 20% (2/10) achieved complete CTC clearance after surgery. Patients with increased post-surgery CTC counts reported a significant increase in cancer-related worry. The mean pre-surgery score was 43.9, which increased to 51.8 after surgery. These findings suggest the need for targeted emotional and psychological support in the post-surgical period and highlight the role of CTC monitoring in assessing MRD. Conclusions Monitoring CTCs strengthens their potential as an early indicator of residual disease by providing important clinical insights into tumor activity during the operative phase. Further validation is warranted to support more integrated, patient-centered care approaches aimed at reducing the burden of advanced cancer. 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