Abstract: An assay and associated methodologies for detection of breast cancer are described. Circulating tumor cells (“CTCs”) undergo epithelial mesenchymal transition (“EMT”) prior to entering circulation, resulting in the loss of epithelial markers. These CTCs and EMT-related gene transcripts in the peripheral blood of patients are tested by quantitative RT-PCR to detect and diagnose breast cancer.

Abstract: The methods described herein are directed to subjecting a biological cell sample with multiple cell characteristics, such as DNA ploidy, immunophenotype or cellular morphology, to a laser-based interrogation with the penultimate step being creation of a digital image of the cell sample. This digital image greatly enhances the comprehensive analysis of the sample and facilitates diagnosis of the cell characteristics upon its creation in a digital format, which may also be captured in a tangible format such as a hard copy, either of which are suitable for transmission to a diagnostician, health care provider or patient.