Liquid biopsy

Several advanced diagnostics for circulating tumor cells exist—such as single cell qPCR, digital PCR and RNA sequencing—but limiting their usefulness is the time it takes between collecting a sample by liquid biopsy and running the tests in a laboratory so equipped.  However, Massachusetts General Hospital researchers have found that a combination of hypothermic preservation, and an addition of glycoprotein llb/llla to minimize platelet aggregation can keep CTCs alive for three days (72 hours).   MORE

Image Credit:  USAF