Automated analysis of circulating tumor cells
AssigneeVentana Medical Systems, Inc.
InventorsGary Pestano, Ryan Dittamore, Karl Garsha, Michael Otter, Chol Steven Yun, Alexandra Dea Nagy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure provides methods for automated characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), for example using automated tissue strainers. In specific examples, such methods permit characterizing a prostate cancer sample by simultaneously or contemporaneously detecting ERG rearrangements and PTEN deletions in the same CTC. Also provided are kits that can be used with such methods.
Claims50
A method of analyzing a sample containing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) using an automated instrument, comprising:
- obtaining the sample from a subject,
- depositing the sample on a substrate configured for use with the automated instrument,
- placing the substrate within the automated instrument,
- retrieving targets on the sample using the automated instrument,
- contacting the sample with CTC identification reagents using the automated instrument,
- contacting the sample with CTC characterization reagents using the automated instrument,
- imaging the sample,
- locating the CTCs by locating the CTC identification reagents,
- spectral imaging the CTCs by location, and
- analyzing the sample by analyzing the spectral imaging.
A kit for characterizing prostate cancer, comprising:
- one or more nucleic acid probes that can specifically detect an ERG genomic rearrangement;
- one or more nucleic acid probes that can specifically detect a PTEN genomic deletion;
- and
- one or more nucleic acid probes that can specifically detect CEN-10;
- wherein the nucleic acid probes comprise a quantum dot.
A method of characterizing a prostate cancer, comprising:
- isolating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from a subject having prostate cancer using anti-ETS related gene (ERG) antibodies;
- spreading the isolated CTCs onto a glass slide to form a homogeneous layer;
- contacting the CTCs on the glass slide with one or more nucleic acid probes specific for ERG, PTEN, and CEN-10, wherein each probe comprises one or more quantum dots;
- detecting signals from the one or more quantum dots on the one or more nucleic acid probes;
- determining whether one or more ERGs is rearranged, whether one or more PTEN genes is deleted, and whether CEN-10 is detected;
- and
- characterizing the prostate cancer based on whether one or more ERGs is rearranged, whether one or more PTEN genes is deleted, and whether CEN-10 is detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.