Detection of circulating tumor cells in patients with lung cancer using metallic micro-cavity array filter: A pilot study.

We have developed a metallic micro-cavity array filter and an automated detection system for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs). In this single institutional pilot study, we assessed the ability of this device to detect CTCs in patients with lung cancer at each stage. Patients diagnosed with lung cancer, undergoing planned surgery for lung cancer, or suspected of having lung cancer were recruited (40 recruited and 2 excluded). Blood samples were obtained from the patients and 3 ml whole blood was applied to the device without any preparation. The captured cells were stained to differentiate the nucleus, and determine cytokeratin and CD45 expression. Subsequently, two operators blinded to clinical information counted the number of CTCs. Sample collection was performed at the time of recruitment, before treatment and ~3 months after initial blood collection. CTC counts at recruitment were 1.4±0.4, 1.8±1.2, 1.3±0.6 and 7.4±5.1 (mean ± SE) in clinical stages I, II, III and IV, respectively. No significant difference was observed among the stages. These data indicated the ability of this device to detect CTCs at early or non-metastatic stages of lung cancer. Further research on a larger scale is needed for a more accurate assessment of the device, and research on the utility of captured cells remains a future challenge.