Abstract: Disclosed herein are reagents, compositions and methods for isolating and detecting rare cells such as circulating multiple myeloma cells as well as method of evaluating and treating patients suspected of having diseases of abnormal plasma cells, such as multiple myeloma.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of the identification of DNA sequences, genes or chromosomes. Methods and composition to obtain Unique Sequence DNA probes are provided. Compositions comprised of and double stranded DNA containing Unique Sequences from which the repetitive sequences are eliminated according to the method described in this invention. The invention also relates to the preservation of cells that have been identified after immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent labeling in order to further interrogate the cells of interest. Furthermore the invention relates to genetic analysis of cells that have been identified after immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent labeling.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes methods and kits for the removal of white blood cells from samples of immunomagnetically enriched rare cells by treating the sample with a leukocyte marker conjugated to a hapten which adheres to the white blood cells and treating the resulting product with a second medium that adheres to the hapten of the white blood cells that are labeled with the leukocyte marker conjugated to hapten and removing the labeled white blood cells.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of the identification of DNA sequences, genes or chromosomes. Methods and composition to obtain Unique Sequence DNA probes are provided. Compositions comprised of and double stranded DNA containing Unique Sequences from which the repetitive sequences are eliminated according to the method described in this invention. The invention also relates to the preservation of cells that have been identified after immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent labeling in order to further interrogate the cells of interest. Furthermore the invention relates to genetic analysis of cells that have been identified after immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent labeling.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of the identification of DNA sequences, genes or chromosomes. Methods and composition to obtain Unique Sequence DNA probes are provided. Compositions comprises of and double stranded DNA containing Unique Sequences from which the repetitive sequences are eliminated according to the method described in this invention. The invention also relates to the preservation of cells that have been identified after immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent labeling in order to further interrogate the cells of interest. Furthermore the invention relates to genetic analysis of cells that have been identified after immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent labeling.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes methods and kits for the removal of white blood cells from samples of immunomagnetically enriched rare cells by treating the sample with a leukocyte marker conjugated to a hapten which adheres to the white blood cells and treating the resulting product with a second medium that adheres to the hapten of the white blood cells that are labeled with the leukocyte marker conjugated to hapten and removing the labeled white blood cells.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes methods and kits for the removal of white blood cells from samples of immunomagnetically enriched rare cells by treating the sample with a leukocyte marker conjugated to a hapten which adheres to the white blood cells and treating the resulting product with a second medium that adheres to the hapten of the white blood cells that are labeled with the leukocyte marker conjugated to hapten and removing the labeled white blood cells.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of the identification of DNA sequences, genes or chromosomes. Methods and composition to obtain Unique Sequence DNA probes are provided. Compositions comprises of and double stranded DNA containing Unique Sequences from which the repetitive sequences are eliminated according to the method described in this invention. The invention also relates to the preservation of cells that have been identified after immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent labeling in order to further interrogate the cells of interest. Furthermore the invention relates to genetic analysis of cells that have been identified after immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent labeling.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of identification of DNA sequences, genes or chromosomes. Methods and composition to obtain Unique Sequence DNA probes are provided. Composition comprises of any double stranded DNA containing Unique Sequences from which the repetitive sequences are eliminated according to the method described in this invention. The invention also relates to the preservation of cells that have been identified after immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent labeling in order to further interrogate the cells of interest. Furthermore the invention relates to genetic analysis of cells that have been identified after immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent labeling.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes methods and kits for the removal of white blood cells from samples of enriched rare cells.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing or differentially diagnosing a cancer characterized by the presence of cancer cells in the pleural fluid of a mammalian subject, the method comprising contacting a sample of pleural fluid of the subject with colloidal magnetic particles coupled to a ligand which binds to a determinant on a cancer cell, but does not bind above a baseline threshold to other cellular and non-cellular components in pleural fluid; subjecting the pleural fluid-magnetic particle mixture to a magnetic field to produce a cell fraction enriched in ligand coupled-magnetic particle-bound cancer cells, if present in the pleural fluid; and analyzing the enriched fraction for the number of cancer cells in the pleural fluid. In certain aspects, this method involves preparing the pleural fluids for the above-noted method steps by, e.g., dilution of unprocessed pleural fluid. In certain aspect, the pleural fluid is subjected to the diagnostic method within 24 hours of withdrawal from the subject.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and probe composition for an automated FISH assay of a blood sample containing circulating tumor cells expressing the IGF-1R gene. The assay provides genetic analysis of suspect circulating tumor cells that have been identified after immunomagnetic selection and fluorescent labeling. Using unique, repeat-free probes to the IGF-1R locus and a chromosome 15 reference probe, cell lines expressing an aberrant number of IGF-1R and Chr 15 signals were detected, including one cell line with a low level of IGF-1R amplification. The ability to directly examine the genetic profile of IGF-1R on circulating tumor cells may provide an automated means for assessing disease and patient response to therapy.

Abstract: A highly sensitive assay is disclosed which utilizes a method for gene specific primed amplification of mRNA libraries from rare cells and rare transcripts found in blood. The assay allows detection of rare mRNA (10 copies/cell) found in 1 to 10 cells isolated through immunomagnetic enrichment. The assay is an improvement over multiplex PCR and allows efficient detection of rare coding sequences for circulating carcinoma cells in the blood. The methods are useful in profiling of cells isolated from tissues or body fluids and serves as an adjunct to clinical diagnosis of diverse carcinomas including early stage detection and classification of circulating tumor cells. Monitoring of nucleic acid and protein profiles of cells either in conventional or microarray formats, facilitates management of therapeutic intervention including staging, monitoring response to therapy, confirmation of remission and detection of regression.