METHOD FOR PREDICTING A PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITION IN AN ANIMAL

摘要

Disclosed is a method for predicting a pathophysiological condition in a animal. The method involves isolating microparticles from a biological sample from an animal using flow cytometry. These isolated microparticles are sorted into two or more groups. Within the sorted microparticles, a subpopulation of microparticles are identified, which express a biomarker that is predictive of a pathophysiological condition in the animal. This method can be used to determine whether prostate cancer within a subject has metastasized. In this case, Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) positive microparticles from a patient with prostate cancer are isolated and the presence of CD151 positive microspheres within the PSMA positive microsphere population indicates metastasis of the cancer.