Abstract: Means for predicting treatment response in a subject having cancer are disclosed, where the predictions are based comparing the number and size of circulating cancer associated macrophage-like cells (CMLS) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) found in biological samples at baseline and after induction of therapy, such as blood, from the subject.

Abstract: Means for predicting (i) multiple organ metastasis and/or multifocal metastatic disease and (ii) overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) of subjects having cancer are disclosed, where the predictions are based on the number and size of circulating cancer associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs) found in a biological sample, such as blood, from the subject.

Abstract: High-resolution, X-ray phase contrast microscopy, a key technique with promising potential in biomedical imaging and diagnostics, is based on narrow-slit high-aspect-ratio gold gratings. We present the development, fabrication details, and experimental testing of the freestanding 10-?m-thick gold membrane masks with an array of 0.9-1.5 ?m void slit apertures for a novel low-energy X-ray microscope. The overall mask size is 4 mm×4 mm, with a grating pitch of 7.5 ?m, 6.0-6.6-?m-wide gold bars are supported by 3-?m-wide crosslinks at 400 ?m intervals. The fabrication process is based on gold electroplating into a silicon mold coated with various thin films to form a voltage barrier, plating base, and sacrificial layer, followed by the mold removal to obtain the freestanding gold membrane with void slit apertures. We discuss key aspects for the materials and processes, including gold structures homogeneity, residual stresses, and prevention of collapsing of the grid elements.

Abstract: A microfilter having a hydrophilic surface and suited for size-based capture and analysis of cells, such as circulating cancer cells, from whole blood and other human fluids is disclosed. The filter material is photo-definable, allowing the formation of precision pores by UV lithography. Exemplary embodiments provide a device that combines a microfilter with 3D nanotopography in culture scaffolds that mimic the 3D in vivo environment to better facilitate growth of captured cells.

Abstract: A microfilter comprising a polymer layer formed from epoxy-based photo-definable dry film, and a plurality of apertures each extending through the polymer layer. A method of forming a microfilter is also disclosed. The method includes providing a first layer of epoxy-based photo-definable dry film disposed on a substrate, exposing the first layer to energy through a mask to form a pattern, defined by the mask, in the first layer of dry film, forming, from the exposed first layer of dry film, a polymer layer having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, the plurality of apertures having a distribution defined by the pattern, and removing the polymer layer from the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of using detection of PD-L1 expression by circulating cancer cells in the screening, monitoring, treatment and diagnosis of cancer in subjects are disclosed. The methods are based on assaying one or more of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), epithelial to mesenchymal transition CTCs (EMTCTCs), cancer associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs), and cancer associated vascular endothelial cells (CAVEs) isolated from a subject having cancer for PD-L1 expression.

Abstract: Methods of using detection of PD-L1 expression by circulating cancer cells in the screening, monitoring, treatment and diagnosis of cancer in subjects are disclosed. The methods are based on assaying one or more of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), epithelial to mesenchymal transition CTCs (EMTCTCs), cancer associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs), and cancer associated vascular endothelial cells (CAVEs) isolated from a subject having cancer for PD-L1 expression.

Abstract: Means for predicting overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) of subjects having cancer are disclosed, where the predictions are based on the number of CCR5 pools in circulating cells, such as circulating cancer associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) found in a biological sample, such as blood, from the subject. CCR5 expression can also be used for companion or complementary diagnostics.

Abstract: A microfilter having a hydrophilic surface and suited for size-based capture and analysis of cells, such as circulating cancer cells, from whole blood and other human fluids is disclosed. The filter material is photo-definable, allowing the formation of precision pores by UV lithography. Exemplary embodiments provide a device that combines a microfilter with 3D nanotopography in culture scaffolds that mimic the 3D in vivo environment to better facilitate growth of captured cells.

Abstract: A new sensitive cell biomarker of solid tumors is identified in blood. This biomarker can be used to determine presence of solid tumors, rapid determination of treatment response, early detection of cancer, early detection of cancer recurrence, and may be used to determine therapy.

Abstract: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are associated with metastasis of malignant solid tumors in a patient. Presented here is evidence that CTCs exhibit cell cycle phase variability and that there is a strong correlation between the number of CTCs in a mitotic cell cycle phase and the prospects for long term survival of the subject from which the cells were obtained. Also presented herein are methods of determining the mitotic cell cycle phase of CTCs from a patient having cancer and using the information in grading malignant solid tumors and predicting the likelihood of survival of the patient.

Abstract: A microfilter having a hydrophilic surface and suited for size-based capture and analysis of cells, such as circulating cancer cells, from whole blood and other human fluids is disclosed. The filter material is photo-definable, allowing the formation of precision pores by UV lithography. Exemplary embodiments provide a device that combines a microfilter with 3D nanotopography in culture scaffolds that mimic the 3D in vivo environment to better facilitate growth of captured cells.

Abstract: A new sensitive cell biomarker of solid tumors is identified in blood. This biomarker can be used to determine presence of solid tumors, rapid determination of treatment response, early detection of cancer, early detection of cancer recurrence, and may be used to determine therapy.

Abstract: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are associated with metastasis of malignant solid tumors in a patient. Presented here is evidence that CTCs exhibit cell cycle phase variability and that there is a strong correlation between the number of CTCs in a mitotic cell cycle phase and the prospects for long term survival of the subject from which the cells were obtained. Also presented herein are methods of determining the mitotic cell cycle phase of CTCs from a patient having cancer and using the information in grading malignant solid tumors and predicting the likelihood of survival of the patient.

Abstract: A new sensitive cell biomarker of solid tumors and viral infection is identified in blood. This biomarker can be used to determine presence of carcinomas, sarcomas, and viruses, rapid determination of treatment response, early detection of cancer, early detection of cancer recurrence, and may be used to determine therapy.

Abstract: Means for monitoring treatment response and disease progression in subjects are disclosed, where the predictions are based on the change of number and/or size of circulating cancer associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs) found in a biological ample, such as blood, from the subject.

Abstract: A new sensitive cell biomarker of solid tumors and viral infection is identified in blood. This biomarker can be used to determine presence of carcinomas, sarcomas, and viruses, rapid determination of treatment response, early detection of cancer, early detection of cancer recurrence, and may be used to determine therapy.

Abstract: The characterization of nucleic acids obtained from cancer-associated cells circulating in the blood of a subject, and the use of such characterizations in cancer screening, diagnostics, treatment, and recurrence, are disclosed.

Abstract: Means for predicting overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) of subjects having cancer are disclosed, where the predictions are based on the number arid size of circulating cancer associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs) found in a biological sample, such as blood, from the subject.

Abstract: A microfilter having a hydrophilic surface and suited for size-based capture and analysis of cells, such as circulating cancer cells, from whole blood and other human fluids is disclosed. The filter material is photo-definable, allowing the formation of precision pores by UV lithography. Exemplary embodiments provide a device that combines a microfilter with 3D nanotopography in culture scaffolds that mimic the 3D in vivo environment to better facilitate growth of captured cells.