US-based Fluxion Biosciences has introduced new IsoFlux EMT Enrichment Kit to isolate rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood samples.
The EMT Enrichment Kit works with the IsoFlux System instrument, specifically targeting cells with both epithelial and mesenchymal properties.
CTCs provide access to tumor material without the need for a surgical biopsy and they can be preferentially enriched over the background blood cells, allowing to analyze them using molecular methods such as next generation sequencing (NGS).
Fluxion Biosciences marketing vice-president Michael Schwartz said: "For several years now, the leading cancer scientists across the world have presented research on the dynamic changes in surface marker expression of cancer cells.
"We developed the IsoFlux EMT Enrichment Kit to provide a more comprehensive, turnkey solution for CTC capture that covers both epithelial and mesenchymal presentations."
Comprising of IsoFlux microfluidic cartridges, magnetic beads, running reagents, and proprietary cocktail of capture antibodies, the kit is said to integrate the epithelial cell adhesion molecular (EpCAM) antibody and a proprietary cocktail of EMT-specific antibodies to increase the overall capture of all types of CTCs.
Fluxion is providing the kits through the IsoFlux Discovery Services programme for immediate use, while kit shipments to IsoFlux customers will start in third quarter this year.
The company develops cellular analysis tools for use in critical life science, drug discovery, and diagnostic applications. It produces products such as BioFlux System to study cellular interactions, IonFlux System for high throughput patch clamp measurements.
Image: New new IsoFlux EMT Enrichment Kit will isolate CTCs from blood samples. Photo: courtesy of tigger11th/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net.