Tethis S.p.A., an Italian pioneer in standardized liquid biopsy platform development, and Israel's Sheba Medical Center have announced a collaborative research initiative to evaluate circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in rectal cancer patients. The partnership will utilize Tethis' proprietary technology, with a See.d® instrument being installed at Sheba's Institute of Pathology.
Led by Prof. Iris Barshack, Head of the Pathology Institute at Sheba, the study will focus on monitoring both CTCs and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with rectal cancer before and after neoadjuvant therapy. Blood samples will be collected at multiple time points to establish baseline CTC levels and track changes throughout treatment.
The primary objective of this research is to evaluate whether CTCs combined with ctDNA can serve as effective surrogate markers to predict rectal carcinoma relapse earlier than conventional imaging studies, potentially enabling more timely interventions.
Advancing Liquid Biopsy Technology
Dr. Holger Neecke, CEO of Tethis, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: "Working with Sheba represents a significant step in expanding the applications of our liquid biopsy platform. Our See.d instrument, combined with our nanocoated SmartBioSurface slides, enables standardized preparation of cytology specimens containing immune and tumor cells."
The technology is designed for sequential multiplexing and interpretation with artificial intelligence while simultaneously collecting plasma for cell-free DNA analysis. This comprehensive approach allows for the examination of multiple biomarkers from a single blood sample.
Prof. Barshack highlighted how this partnership aligns with Sheba's mission: "This collaboration exemplifies Sheba's commitment to advancing precision medicine through innovative technologies. By combining Tethis' cutting-edge liquid biopsy platform with our extensive clinical expertise in oncology, we aim to develop more effective strategies for monitoring treatment response in rectal cancer patients."
Technical Innovations in Cancer Detection
The Tethis platform offers several technical advantages over conventional methods. Dr. Nadia Prisant, Head of the Liquid Biopsy Laboratory, explained that "the analysis of the cytology specimens using bright field multi-staining immunohistochemistry and AI-powered algorithms builds upon our successful proof-of-concept studies with model cells, advancing the field of digital cytology in liquid biopsy applications."
Prof. Ruth Katz, Professor of Pathology, elaborated on the technology's capabilities: "With Tethis See.d instrument we can retrieve the entire population of nucleated cells, including inflammatory cells, histocytes and CTCs from the bloodstream. This gentle collection method enhances the pathologist's ability to detect CTC clusters and single cells, displayed in a unique cellular micro-environment."
The technology employs multiplexing of colorectal carcinoma-specific antibodies and localizes membranous, cytoplasm, and nuclear proteins. Researchers expect this approach to enhance CTC detection even in very early-stage patients and evaluate the immunoprofile of inflammatory background cells to guide immunotherapy decisions.
Clinical Implications for Rectal Cancer Management
Rectal cancer represents a significant health burden globally, with treatment typically involving a multimodal approach of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The ability to monitor treatment response and predict relapse through minimally invasive blood tests could significantly improve patient outcomes by allowing for earlier intervention.
The current standard for monitoring rectal cancer recurrence relies heavily on imaging studies, which may detect relapse only after substantial tumor regrowth. Liquid biopsy approaches like the one being studied could potentially detect molecular signs of recurrence much earlier.
Both organizations emphasized that the See.d® instrument and SmartBioSurface® slides are currently for Research Use Only and are not intended for use in diagnostic procedures.
About the Collaborating Organizations
Tethis is a diagnostic company headquartered in Milan, Italy, developing an innovative workflow to integrate liquid biopsy into clinical practice. The company's technology focuses on standardizing blood sample preparation to ensure the highest quality and integrity of liquid biopsy specimens, facilitating comprehensive analysis of clinically relevant biomarkers.
Sheba Medical Center, located in Tel Hashomer, Israel, is the largest and most comprehensive medical center in the Middle East. Consistently ranked among Newsweek's Top 10 World's Best Hospitals, Sheba's campus includes acute-care, rehabilitation, children's, cancer, and geriatric hospitals, along with research and innovation hubs, a medical simulation center, and a center for disaster response.
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in the application of artificial intelligence and advanced sample preparation techniques to improve cancer detection and monitoring through liquid biopsy.
