CTCs are cells that have detached from a primary tumour and entered the bloodstream. Credit: Jezperklauzen via Shutterstock.

A study has been published highlighting that ExThera Medical’s Seraph 100 technology, used in conjunction with its Oncobind device, can reduce the spread of pancreatic cancer cells.

ExThera’s flagship device Oncobind uses the Seraph 100 filtration media to filter circulating tumour cells (CRCs) from the blood. These are cells that have detached from a primary tumour and entered the bloodstream.

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In the study, published in The British Journal of Cancer (BJC), blood samples from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients were filtered in vitro blood using the Seraph 100 media, resulting in a 94% average reduction in CTCs. According to ExThera, this suggests that the filtration device could be an effective therapeutic tool alone, or could be used in conjunction with treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The CE-marked blood filter device works by mimicking the human receptors that CTCs and pathogens target for binding. As blood flows through the device, it passes over beads that express these receptors. CTCs are then captured and absorbed from the blood onto the surface of the beads. The devices use immobilised heparin for blood compatibility.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. According to a report on GlobalData’s Pharma Intelligence Center, there will be 170,000 cases of pancreatic cancer globally by 2027.

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It’s not only cancer cells that can be filtered using the US-based company’s device. Seraph 100 previously received emergency use authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat Covid-19. The FDA granted investigational device exemption to Oncobind in July 2023.

ExThera’s CEO Erin Borger said: “The potential of this device to extend and improve the lives of cancer patients is immense. Researchers observed on average a 94% reduction in circulating tumour cells with a single use of our technology. We are eager to continue our research and see the impact it can have on patient care.” 

CTCs can also be captured as part of a liquid biopsy test to diagnose cancer. In April 2024, liquid biopsy company Angle announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) granted a European patent for its CellKeep slide to improve the capture of CTCs. The company agreed to a supplier contract with AstraZeneca to develop the Parsortix system-based Androgen Receptor assay the following month.