Sound Waves Provide ‘Liquid Biopsies’

Researchers have developed a gentle, contact-free method for separating circulating tumor cells from blood samples that is fast and efficient enough for clinical use. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) contain information about the tumor that are associated with prognosis and whether certain treatments may be effective. The ability to quickly and efficiently harvest and grow these cells would enable “liquid biopsies” capable of providing diagnosis and suggestions for treatment strategies based on individual CTC profiling.