Grant: Proof of Principle Program - Phase I

Metastasis, or the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another, is responsible for approximately 90% of all cancer related deaths. In order for cancer to spread, cells known as circulating tumor cells must detach from a primary tumor, circulate in the bloodstream, and reattach to a different tissue. The goal of our project is to develop technologies to enable capture, identify, and genetically profile these cells using modern molecular tools. Existing technologies for capturing circulating tumor cells does not produce a sample compatible for genetic profiling in a way that are compatible with large-scale clinical trials, which is essential for establishing the biological nature and clinical value of these cells. To address this challenge, we developed an innovative mechanism to isolate circulating tumor cells based on their physical characteristics, which when combined with existing molecular approaches could obtain highly pure samples for genetic profiling. If successful, our project has the potential to enable major advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of many types of cancers. Specifically, information obtained from circulating tumor cells could allow physicians to select personalized drugs and dosage levels that most effectively treat each patient and minimize unnecessary side-effects. Furthermore, genetic profiling of circulating tumor cells can help to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of metastasis and help to identify targets for new drugs.