Circulating Tumor Cells Spawning Diagnostic Tools to Guide Caregivers in Cancer Therapeutics

(Amherst, NH) – Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) were first discovered more than a century ago. Because they originate from a malignant mass, they can carry useful information for clinicians with regard to the efficacy of treatments or to changes occurring within the tumor as a result of active treatment. The absence of a simple way to isolate and detect CTCs coupled with the lack of a clear understanding of the information they might provide has left them neglected as a potential source of diagnostic information.

Recently, devices capable of isolating circulating tumor cells from blood in a straightforward manner have created significant interest among clinicians. These devices can separate circulating tumor cells via a simple blood draw, and while the number of tumor cells found in a 7.5 mL sample may be extremely small, the current generation of devices can isolate CTCs in concentrations of just a few cells per sample. This low-risk, patient-friendly sample availability is a key reason why clinicians and device developers are seeking to take advantage of whatever patient data and disease status circulating tumor cells might yield.

Currently there are eighteen devices that are approved or in advanced development to isolate and detect circulating tumor cells. As patient care moves toward personalized medicine to take into account genotype variations in diseases across the general population, interest in circulating cells as a diagnostic tool will increase

A new research study Circulating Tumor Cell Diagnostics: Technologies, Products, Markets and Prospects, examines the current generation of circulating tumor cell isolation and detection devices and analyzes the oncology markets that these devices currently target. The report profiles the key players, describes the regulatory and commercial environment, and assesses the dynamics of patient care that will affect market development.

More information is available at www.greystoneassociates.org .

Source: Greystone Associat

About Greystone

Greystone Associates is a medical technology consulting firm focused on the areas of medical market strategy, product commercialization, venture development, and market research. We assist medical and healthcare market participants in achieving their business objectives through the creation of detailed development strategies, product commercialization programs, and comprehensive market and technology research and analysis. Our market research publications are designed, researched and written to provide timely and insightful information and data on focused market segments, with the aim of providing market participants with the essential knowledge to refine and execute their marketing plans and financial targets.

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Mark Smith
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Greystone Research Associates
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www.greystoneassociates.org

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