Abstract: The invention describes a container (1) for separating tumour cells, in particular disseminated tumour cells (9), from a biological sample, with a closed end and an end which can be opened (2, 3). It contains a thixotropic substance (4) with a specific density selected from a range with a lower limit of 1.055 g/cm3, preferably 1.057 g/cm3, in particular 1.060 g/cm3, and an upper limit of 1.070 g/cm3, preferably 1.069 g/cm3, in particular 1.065 g/cm3, and optionally a separation medium (5) in the form of a density gradient with a specific density selected from a range with a lower limit of 1.060 g/cm3, preferably 1.065 g/cm3, in particular 1.070 g/cm3, and an upper limit of 1.085 g/cm3, preferably 1.080 g/cm3, in particular 1.075 g/cm3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enriching tumor cells from a body fluid, in which a cell separation medium of a specific density is overlaid with the body fluid and it is subsequently determined whether the enriched cells express an epithelial marker, for example a cytokeratin. A kit suitable for this method is likewise provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the enrichment or depletion of tumor cells from a body fluid, in which a cell separation medium of specific density is overlaid with the body fluid and is centrifuged. A kit suitable for this method is likewise provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quantitatively analyzing tumor cells in a body fluid. According to the inventive method, the test sample to be examined is first subjected to a method for accumulating or depleting tumor cells, and a reaction is carried out on the accumulated or depleted tumor cells. During the reaction, the mRNA which codes for the catalytic subunit of the telomerase is specifically amplified, and afterwards, the quantity of amplified nucleic acid is quantitatively analyzed. The invention also relates to test kits suited for the invented method.

Abstract: A method for the quantification of tumor cells in a body fluid is disclosed and entails first carrying out a reaction with the sample to be investigated, in which the RNA component of telomerase is specifically amplified, and then the amount of amplified nucleic acid is determined quantitatively, as are test kits suitable therefor.

Abstract: A method for the quantification of tumor cells in a body fluid is disclosed and entails first carrying out a reaction with the sample to be investigated, in which the RNA component of telomerase is specifically amplified, and then the amount of amplified nucleic acid is determined quantitatively, as are test kits suitable therefor.