Circulating CAML Biomarker Detection via Microfiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting cancer, particularly solid tumors, face challenges in early detection and monitoring treatment efficacy due to the inconsistency of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood samples, even in advanced stages of cancer, and the invasiveness of traditional diagnostic techniques.
Innovation Solution
The identification and utilization of circulating Cancer Associated Macrophage-Like cells (CAMLs) as a biomarker, which can be consistently found in the blood of cancer patients, using microfiltration and microfluidic techniques to isolate and characterize cells expressing specific markers such as CD146, CD202b, CD31, CD11c, and CD14, allowing for early detection, recurrence monitoring, and treatment efficacy assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are used for cancer detection, then cancer recurrence information and treatment information can be obtained, but CTCs cannot be found consistently even in stage IV patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses circulating Cancer Associated Macrophage-Like cells (CAMLs) as an intermediary biomarker to detect cancer presence and treatment response. CAMLs are more consistently present in patient blood than CTCs, serving as a reliable mediator for cancer detection while maintaining the ability to provide prognostic and treatment information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the detection parameter from rare CTCs to more abundant CAMLs that can be consistently isolated using microfiltration. This parameter change involves detecting cells with specific characteristics (size, nuclear morphology, marker expression) that are more reliably present in circulation, thereby improving detection consistency without sacrificing diagnostic value.
2Measurement precision
If traditional diagnostic techniques are used for cancer detection, then accurate diagnosis can be obtained, but invasive procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts cancer-related information from blood circulating cells (CAMLs and CTCs) without requiring tissue biopsy or other invasive procedures. By isolating and analyzing these circulating cells using microfiltration and immunophenotyping, the method obtains diagnostic accuracy equivalent to tissue-based methods while completely avoiding invasive sampling.
3Reliability
If microfiltration is used to isolate CAMLs, then consistent cancer detection is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical cell separation systems with a simplified microfiltration approach. The microfiltration device uses a single pass through a filter with specific pore sizes to physically separate CAMLs from other blood cells based on size differences, eliminating the need for multiple mechanical separation steps, density gradients, or automated flow cytometry systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
CAMLs provide a consistent and non-invasive means for early cancer detection, recurrence monitoring, and treatment efficacy assessment, complementing CTCs and other biomarkers, with high sensitivity and specificity, enabling more effective cancer management and reducing reliance on invasive diagnostic methods.
Implementation Method 1
The microfilter has pores, with pore sizes ranging from about 5 microns to about 20 microns... circulating cells, such as CAMLs and/or CTCs, are detected in the biological samples using a size exclusion methodology that comprises use of a microfilter
Implementation Method 2
The method further comprises incubating the blood sample with magnetic microbeads
Data Source
AI summary
A new sensitive cell biomarker of solid tumors is identified in blood. This biomarker can be used to determine presence of solid tumors, rapid determination of treatment response, early detection of cancer, early detection of cancer recurrence, and may be used to determine therapy.