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Our CTC tests - OncoTrace, OncoTrail, and OncoCount - are tools for monitoring the progress of cancer treatment for patients. The tests can also provide valuable information that helps in the early detection of cancer recurrence.
The biology of a cancerous tumor works similarly to skin or hair. Just like the body sheds hair and skin cells, the tumor sheds cells throughout its lifespan.
These cells are called circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and they can be detected in the bloodstream. Therefore, when a blood sample is analyzed for cancer diagnosis, the test will take a measure of the presence of CTCs.
At RGCC, we use a liquid biopsy to measure the CTC count. A liquid biopsy is a non-invasive way to measure cancer in the body by measuring the number of CTCs in the bloodstream or in circulation.
The detection and monitoring of the CTC markers circulating in the blood are useful for screening, prognosis, and predicting a patient’s response to therapy. It is a valuable method to monitor the clinical course in patients with primary or metastatic cancer.
CTCs in the blood will correlate with the amount of cancer in a patient’s body. An increase in the CTC numbers is an indicator of cancer progression while decreasing CTC numbers indicate cancer containment or regression. A CTC count value is, therefore, a powerful and non-invasive tool to measure the state of cancer and whether the treatment is working or not.
In addition to the CTC count, our CTC tests return a variety of valuable information that help follow up on how a patient’s body responds to cancer treatment.
We recommend patients retake their CTC count approximately every 3 months as long as their cancer is active. Once the cancer is in full remission and the first 2-3 follow-up tests are clear or show a stable status, the CTC tests can be taken every 6 months as part of their long-term monitoring protocol.
Let’s see how our CTC tests work.
The OncoTrace test records a baseline of your cancer status as you start your cancer treatment. This will include baseline values for circulating tumor cell (CTC) count, phenotype markers, and stemness markers in your bloodstream.
The OncoTrace test is designed to provide comprehensive information about cancer progression and its future prognosis. OncoTrace results are a game-changer for cancer treatment and monitoring progress.
As you progress with your treatment, the package of information provided by the OncoTrace test can be a powerful tool to assess how well things are going with your cancer treatment.
The OncoTrail test provides crucial information on the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and their concentration in patients who have a confirmed diagnosis of specific types of cancer.
The OncoTrail test analyzes the markers for very specific types of cancer, including breast, colon, GI, melanoma, lung, sarcoma, and prostate cancer. For instance, the breast cancer OncoTrail test will only include markers for breast cancer.
We do not use OncoTrail as a primary diagnostic test to confirm a cancer diagnosis. For this, we recommend the OncoTrace test, which is a more comprehensive tool to discover all primary and secondary cancer types.
However, once the cancer type has been identified, the OncoTrail test provides essential information on the effectiveness of current cancer treatments focused on your type of cancer. Follow-up tests can also be used to monitor your health and assess the risk of recurrence.
The OncoCount test checks for the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTC) and measures their concentration in a blood sample. It is an important biomarker that checks for the presence of cancer in the body.
The OncoCount test is used as part of the interim monitoring mechanism to check for the efficacy of your cancer treatment. It can be used to detect the presence or recurrence of all types of cancers except those originating in the central nervous system.
When patients first partner with us, we begin by establishing a baseline of their cancer status. This forms a reference point for any further monitoring and follow-up readings.
The OncoTrace is used to record your baseline status. OncoTrace is ideal for establishing a baseline because it is a broad-based test capable of catching all cancer indicators in its net.
The test can also help eliminate the possibility of other secondary tumors in the body so that your treatment can comprehensively address all concerns.
We recommend using the CTC tests after 3-4 months to check for treatment effectiveness. One measure for this is to check the CTC count since it will show a clear drop, rise, or plateau once treatment begins. The OncoCount can help with this.
The OncoTrace and OncoTrail both also record the activity of stemness markers, but this may take longer to show a change.
We recommend conducting a round of monitoring tests to check treatment progress every 3-4 months after the baseline. This is an ideal timeframe to check for lower phenotype markers and also gives enough time for the treatment to be effective enough and help stemness markers to change to the “Off” position.
If no change is seen, a change in treatment protocol will need to be made right away to ensure progress.
The new readings can then establish a new baseline that patients and their clinicians can reference for future monitoring.
In addition to our CTC tests, we recommend our extensive Onconomics test panels. They provide personalized information on the genetic data of your cancer cells and their response to more than 50 chemotherapeutic agents and/or more than 50 natural substances.
Our scientists use world-leading technology, equipment, and innovative techniques to develop a range of cancer screening and monitoring tests. Our tests help cancer patients and their healthcare professionals get a comprehensive but personalized view of each patient’s genetics, physiology, and immune profiles.
We believe this level of detail is crucial in developing an individualized care plan for every patient struggling with cancer. We aim to provide a unique insight into every patient’s cancer biology to empower them about what treatment modalities are ideal for bringing them success in their cancer journey!
Reach out to us to start your journey to empowering information today by contacting us online.
