METHOD FOR DETECTING CIRCULATING TUMOUR CELLS (CTCS)

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for detecting circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in body fluids, preferably in blood and lymph.;In particular, the method for detecting circulating tumour cells in a body fluid comprises a step of detecting a change in pH and/or in a concentration of at least one molecule selected from lactic acid, lactate ions and protons within an isolated volume of said body fluid in which a cell has been encapsulated.

主权项

1. A method for detecting circulating tumour cells in a body fluid comprising the following steps:
encapsulating a cell in a volume of about 10 pL to 10 nL of said fluid; incubating said volume at a temperature from 4° C. to 37° C. for at least 1 minute; and detecting a change in pH and/or in a concentration of at least one molecule selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, lactate ions, and protons within said incubated volume;wherein a decrease in said pH and/or an increase in the concentration of said at least one molecule, with respect to a pH and/or a concentration determining for the same volume before said incubation step, indicates the presence of circulating tumour cells in said body fluid.