Abstract

The Fluid Phase of Solid Tumors

Anna Gerdtsson, Professor, The Bridge Institute, University of Southern California

The High-Definition Single-Cell Analysis (HD-SCA) assay enables characterization of circulating, disseminated, and solid tumor cells based on high-throughput yet high-resolution immunofluorescence imaging. The proteo-morphometric characterization of single cells is combined with genomic sequencing for CNV or SNV profiling, or Imaging Mass Cytometry (IMC) for multiplexed protein profiling, to generate a unique and comprehensive biosignature of each individual cell. This approach has been applied to e.g. monitor cancer patients on therapy which could contribute to informed clinical decision-making. Further, the biosignatures provide insight to the molecular heterogeneity of tumor cells, and the relationship between circulating and disseminated tumor cells within the fluid phase to those of the solid tumor. Results from a number of studies will be shown and discussed.