Enabling UV Analysis of Circulating Tumour Cells

We urgently need earlier detection of cancer and other diseases. Earlier detection leads to lower costs, better survival and higher quality of patient life by allowing earlier and more effective treatment options. Astrimmune responded to this challenge with an advanced filter product that allows the isolation of circulating tumour cells and other rare cells, from liquid biopsies, like blood and urine. A cost effective, non-invasive general population screening for cancer or other diseases is a very worthy goal that will save money and extend lives. We started out monitoring people that already had cancer before attempting general screening. We encountered a problem with autofluorescence of the filter while conducting fluorescent microscopy of cells retrieved on the filter. Autofluorescence is the natural emission of light by structures when they have absorbed light. Autofluorescence from U.S. paper money is used to identify counterfeit money. This Innovate UK grant is to develop alternative dyes for the purpose of identifying cancer cells and other rare cells of interest that are captured on our filter. Our current state-of-the-art disposable filter is superior to competitor filter designs and is more cost-effective than expensive processes currently being used. Our goal is to eventually have an inexpensive way to screen the whole population, on a regular basis, to identify health problems sooner. The earlier the problems are identified, the better the chances of a long and healthy life. Solving the autofluorescence problem will be a big achievement, immediately helping researchers, patients and providers of care.