Detection of circulating tumor cells in advanced renal cell carcinoma patients using microfilter-based capture

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have generated considerable interest as predictive and prognostic biomarkers in solid tumors. While the current FDA approved technology utilizes epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) expression for CTC detection, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells do not consistently express EpCAM. Based on size differences between larger epithelial tumor cells and smaller nontumor blood cells, CTCs can also be detected using a parylene-based microfilter device.