CD321-based methodologies for enhanced detection, quantification and isolation of tumor cells and circulating tumor cells [Technology Offer]

The technology uses CD321 as a universal marker for more accurate detection and isolation of tumor cells and CTCs, overcoming limitations of traditional markers affected by EMT.

The invention introduces a novel method for detecting, quantifying, and isolating tumor cells and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) using CD321 as a marker. Unlike traditional markers such as EpCAM and Keratins, which are limited by variability and loss during epithelial-mesenchymal transition, CD321 is widely and consistently expressed across various tumor types. This makes it a more reliable and sensitive marker for identifying tumor cells in biological samples. The invention enhances detection accuracy, improves the ability to isolate CTCs, and offers better tools for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating neoplastic diseases.

• Universal Marker: CD321 is consistently expressed across various tumor types, overcoming limitations of conventional markers.
• Enhanced Accuracy: Improves detection and quantification of tumor cells and CTCs.
• Sensitive Detection: Remains reliable even during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
• Improved Isolation: Facilitates more effective isolation of tumor cells and CTCs from biological samples.

• Cancer Diagnosis: Accurate identification of tumor cells and CTCs for early and precise diagnosis of cancer.
• Disease Monitoring: Reliable monitoring of disease progression and response to treatment by tracking tumor cells and CTCs.
• Prognosis Assessment: Improved prognosis evaluation by quantifying and analyzing the presence of CTCs.
• Treatment Efficacy: Assessing the effectiveness of anti-cancer therapies by measuring changes in tumor cell and CTC levels.
• Metastasis Detection: Identifying metastatic potential by detecting and quantifying CTCs in patients.

Funded in 2006 by Prof. Cédric Blanpain, the Laboratory of Stem Cells & Cancer of the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) uses lineage-tracing approaches to study the role of SCs during development, homeostasis and cancer. They uncovered the existence of stem cells and progenitors acting during homeostasis and repair of the epidermis and uncovered a novel paradigm of lineage segregation in the mammary gland and prostate. The lab was pioneered in using mouse genetics to identify the cancer cell of origin of epithelial cancers. They identified the cancer cell of origin and the mechanisms regulating the early steps of tumor initiation in skin basal cell carcinoma, skin squamous cell carcinoma and mammary tumors. They developed novel approaches to unravel the mode of tumor growth within their natural environment and to understand the mechanisms regulating cancer stem cell functions. 

• Ievgenia Pastushenko, Panagiota Sotiropoulou, Cédric Blanpain. Identification of the tumor transition states occurring during EMT and their implications for metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13Suppl):Abstract nr LB-146. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-LB-146