Parsortix® System Uncovers Genetic Diversity Driving Cancer Metastasis

ANGLE plc has announced a significant milestone: the 100th peer-reviewed publication supporting its Parsortix® system, a liquid biopsy platform designed to isolate and analyse circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from blood samples. This achievement underscores a decade of research across 24 cancer types, including breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers, conducted by 42 institutions in 15 countries.

The landmark study, conducted by Italy's Fondazione IRCCS, focused on triple-negative breast cancer. Researchers utilised the Parsortix system to harvest intact cancer cells from patient blood samples, enabling whole genomic sequencing (WGS). The sequencing data, analysed using machine learning algorithms, identified key cancer genes associated with DNA proliferation and repair. The authors concluded that this cost-effective sequencing assay has the potential to guide clinical patient management.

Karen Miller, ANGLE’s Chief Scientific Officer, highlighted the evolution of CTC analysis over the past decade, noting its progression from simple enumeration to detailed biomarker analysis using advanced techniques like immunofluorescence, PCR, and next-generation sequencing. She emphasised the potential of multi-analyte assessments, combining CTCs and circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), to provide a more comprehensive view of tumour biology and enhance personalised cancer treatment.