Compositions and methods for isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTC)

US10941452B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania · US

Inventors

• Jay F. Dorsey · Media, US
• Gary D. Kao · Lansdowne, US
• Stephen M. Hahn · Glen Mills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 5, 2015
• Grant date: Mar 9, 2021
• Expiry date: Oct 5, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N33/53
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method useful for identifying and isolating live circulating tumor cells is described. The method utilizes an adenoviral vector comprising a replication-competent adenovirus in which the E1 gene region is expressed under the control of a telomerase-specific promoter and further comprises a second expression cassette containing a marker protein, optionally fused to a detectable cell surface marker to permit detection of circulating tumor cells lacking cell surface markers. The method involves combining ex vivo a test sample from a patient suspected of having circulating tumor cells, an adenoviral probe system, and culture media for the cells. The test sample is incubated with the adenoviral system for a sufficient time to permit expression of the reporter protein. The marker gene expression can thereafter be quantitated and the marker-expressing cells may optionally be collected for further analysis.