Abstract: The invention relates to a method for culturing a subpopulation of circulating epithelial tumour cells from a body fluid of a human or animal suffering from an epithelial tumour, wherein cells contained in the body fluid each containing at last one cell nucleus are separated from the body fluid and cultured over at least 24 hours in suspension, with formation of spheroids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for culturing a subpopulation of circulating epithelial tumour cells from a body fluid of a human or animal suffering from an epithelial tumour, wherein cells contained in the body fluid each containing at last one cell nucleus are separated from the body fluid and cultured over at least 24 hours in suspension, with formation of spheroids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for culturing a subpopulation of circulating epithelial tumour cells from a body fluid of a human or animal suffering from an epithelial tumour, wherein cells contained in the body fluid each containing at least one cell nucleus are separated from the body fluid and cultured over at least 24 hours in suspension, with formation of spheroids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a concentration of epithelial cells in a blood sample or aspirate sample originating from a human being or mammal and mixed with anti-clotting agent. Here, following the addition of antibodies, antibody fragments, or antibody mimetica, which are each aimed against an antigen that is specific to epithelial cells, the sample is incubated until a decreasing binding rate of the binding of the antibodies, antibody fragments, or antibody mimetica to the cells is achieved. Only then is the number of marked cells and the original concentration of the cells in the blood sample or aspirate sample determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for culturing a subpopulation of circulating epithelial tumour cells from a body fluid of a human or animal suffering from an epithelial tumour, wherein cells contained in the body fluid each containing at least one cell nucleus are separated from the body fluid and cultured over at least 24 hours in suspension, with formation of spheroids.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of vital epithelial tumor cells in a body fluid is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining from the body fluid of a test subject a test specimen, labeling the epithelial tumor cells contained in said test specimen, applying the test specimen to a support, where the epithelial tumor cells adhere and identifying vital cells of the adhering epithelial tumor cells by means of their morphology. The method does not comprise an enrichment of epithelial tumor cells by means of binding to paramagnetic or magnetic particles and applying a magnetic force to the particles.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of vital epithelial tumor cells in a body fluid is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining from the body fluid of a test subject a test specimen, labeling the epithelial tumor cells contained in said test specimen, applying the test specimen to a support, where the epithelial tumor cells adhere and identifying vital cells of the adhering epithelial tumor cells by means of their morphology. The method does not comprise an enrichment of epithelial tumor cells by means of binding to paramagnetic or magnetic particles and applying a magnetic force to the particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detection of epithelial tumor cells in a body fluid, comprising the following steps: