Abstract
Cancer is frequently identified at a late stage of the disease and it is difficult for oncologists to stipulate the best strategy with regard to treatment. The current detection methods are frequently based on radiographic imaging which indicate the increase and changes of a tumor over a long time span. This does not give the possibility to evaluate quickly whether the treatment is effective and does not give information regarding treatment targets expressed on the tumor. This specificity is necessary for the treatment with specific targeted therapies. Therefore a biopsy should still be obtained from the primary tumor. However repeated evaluation is desired, tumor cells are genetically unstable, and this can quickly lead to mutations
and result in resistance to treatment. A new technique which can give all kinds of specific information on the tumor on a regular basis would be a valuable tool. A potential technique is circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection. This technique enumerates and characterizes tumor cells in a blood sample. These tumor cells (CTCs) that entered the blood stream, may result in metastasis, which frequently leads to death. The problem regarding CTC detection is their inherent low occurrence. This requires enrichment of the blood sample and a very precise and accurate detection method to trace a single tumor cell, in a couple milliliter of blood.
In this thesis the development of a new instrument called the “CellTracks TDI” is described. This instrument is specifically developed to improve the enumeration and characterization of magnetically enriched CTC samples. We used a magnetic enrichment method protocol developed by Immunicon.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
Awarding Institution |
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Supervisors/Advisors |
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Award date | 1 Feb 2008 |
Place of Publication | Enschede |
Publisher | |
Print ISBNs | 978-90-365-2610-4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2008 |