Direct Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells in the Peripheral Blood

• Grant number: 23/17537-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Molecular Biophysics
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Henrique Conaggin Godoi
• Grantee: Paulo Henrique Conaggin Godoi
• Company: PHC Godoi Biotecnologia
• CNAE: Pesquisa e desenvolvimento experimental em ciências físicas e naturais
• City: São Carlos
• Associated researchers: Sandra Martha Gomes Dias
• Associated research grant: 20/13229-0 - Fast development of single-domain antibodies for research, AP.PIPE

Abstract

In 2020, approximately nineteen million three hundred thousand new cancer cases were reported worldwide, resulting in ten million deaths attributed to the disease. While developed countries have seen a gradual reduction in mortality rates, the same cannot be said for developing nations where socio-economic disparities are more evident. The growing global population and increased life expectancy are expected to contribute to a rise in both new diagnoses and fatalities related to cancer. Projections suggest that by 2040, the number of new cases could approach twenty-nine million, with fatalities exceeding sixteen million.In response to this challenge, we are exploring a solution with the potential to serve as a screening and/or monitoring tool for cancer. This solution relies on identifying molecular surface markers present in circulating tumor cells within peripheral blood-a technique commonly known as liquid biopsy. Our goal is to introduce an economically accessible and streamlined test that can be easily scaled for widespread use. To achieve this, we propose a cellular assay based on the selective recognition of tumor markers using single-domain antibodies chosen from a synthetic library containing twenty-seven trillion molecules. The envisioned molecular complex would react to the presence of tumor markers, emitting infrared light for direct detection from a peripheral blood sample-eliminating the need for cell separation or fluorescence microscopy analysis.Beyond the economic and technical advantages it offers, we anticipate that our assay will outperform existing market methods in sensitivity. Moreover, we believe it will be readily adopted by hospitals and clinical laboratories, providing crucial support for patients diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer. This innovation also opens avenues for new clinical studies, further establishing the value of our technology in expediting early disease diagnosis. (AU)