CTC ELISA Kits

Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are cancer cells that have detached from primary tumors and circulate in the bloodstream, serving as critical biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring. CTC ELISA kits are specialized immunoassays designed to detect and quantify specific proteins or markers associated with CTCs in biological samples.

Technical Overview:

CTC ELISA kits typically employ a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay format:

• Capture Antibody: A monoclonal or polyclonal antibody specific to a CTC-associated marker (e.g., EpCAM, cytokeratins) is pre-coated onto a microplate.
• Sample Addition: Biological samples (e.g., blood, serum, plasma) are added to the wells, allowing any CTC-associated antigens present to bind to the capture antibodies.
• Detection Antibody: A biotinylated detection antibody, also specific to the CTC marker, is introduced, forming a sandwich complex.
• Enzyme Conjugate: Streptavidin-Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) conjugate binds to the biotinylated detection antibody.
• Substrate Addition: A chromogenic substrate (e.g., TMB) is added, and the enzyme catalyzes a colorimetric reaction.
• Quantification: The intensity of the color change is measured spectrophotometrically, correlating with the concentration of the CTC marker in the sample.

Applications:

• Cancer Diagnosis: Detecting CTCs as early indicators of metastatic disease.
• Prognosis Assessment: Evaluating CTC levels to predict disease progression and patient outcomes.
• Treatment Monitoring: Assessing changes in CTC counts to monitor therapeutic efficacy and detect recurrence.

When selecting a CTC ELISA kit, it is crucial to ensure that the kit is specifically designed for detecting circulating tumor cells and not other analytes sharing the same abbreviation. These kits provide researchers and clinicians with reliable tools to quantify CTC levels, facilitating advancements in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.