Circulating Tumour Cell (CTC) Sampling Study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Clinical Sampling Study To Investigate Circulating Tumour Cells In Patients With Cancer

• IRAS ID

  231113

• Contact name

  Simon Crabb

• Contact email

  Publication of this data is currently deferred.

• Sponsor organisation

  University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  5 years, 0 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  The presence of complex acquired or inherited genomic abnormalities affecting key cellular pathways is a fundamental feature that underpins the hallmarks of cancer. Advances in genomic sequencing technology have enabled recognition of new sub-groups of disease, enhanced understanding of pathogenic mechanisms and identification of novel therapeutic targets. \n\nIt is increasingly clear that we will require options to sample cancers at multiple time points longitudinally if we are to optimise, and then refine over time, our knowledge of the underlying evolving genomic mutational landscape of a cancer. To do so, in most cases, will likely require surrogate tissues to be sampled to address the safety and practical issues that repeat biopsy raises. \n\nIn addition to sampling circulating free tumour DNA, one of the most promising approaches to ‘liquid biopsy’ of surrogate tumour tissue is through sampling of circulating tumour cells (CTCs). To date, only the CellSearch system (Janssen Diagnostics) has been approved by the FDA for routine use in CTC identification (for prognostication in metastatic breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer). \n\nIn this project, we propose to develop a novel approach to CTC identification and capture, known as digital holographic microscopy (DHM). Cytosight Limited have focused on the challenge of distinguishing and capturing minute numbers of CTCs from the vast background of blood cells. This has involved the development of a unique approach for outputting individual viable CTCs and cell clusters, and a prototype instrument has been established to test this concept. \n\nThis is a collaborative project between the Southampton Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre and Cytosight Limited. Specifically we will undertake, for the first time, the analysis of sequential blood and surplus archival tumour tissue samples from patients with cancer, with the intention of testing the ability of the DHM system to undertake identification of CTCs.\n

• REC name

  West of Scotland REC 5

• REC reference

  17/WS/0177

• Date of REC Opinion

  9 Aug 2017

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion