Veridex, LLC today announced an agreement with LabCorp Clinical Trials that makes the CELLSEARCH® circulating tumor cell (CTC) test available for researchers conducting clinical trials in China. This marks the first clinical reference laboratory in China that offers CTC testing and comes on the heels of China's State Food & Drug Administration approval of CELLSEARCH® as an in vitro diagnostic to manage patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Under this agreement, LabCorp's Beijing central laboratory will offer CTC testing on the CELLSEARCH® platform to customers conducting clinical trials in China. Drug developers use CTCs in their development programs to perform "liquid biopsies" and assess the number and nature of CTCs in study participants' blood streams. An increase or decrease in the number of CTCs can be an early and strong indicator of a drug's efficacy. The highly sensitive CELLSEARCH® test can identify as few as one CTC in a tube of blood, offering researchers a powerful tool in developing new therapeutic options.
"The value of CTCs as an oncology biomarker is well documented in peer-reviewed literature," commented Robert McCormack , Ph.D. and Head of Technology Innovation at Veridex. "As the number of clinical trials in China continues to rise, drug companies conducting trials there now have another compelling reason to incorporate CTCs into their protocols. Local testing will provide faster results for clinical trial investigators."
About Circulating Tumor Cells
Circulating tumor cells are cancer cells that have detached from the tumor and are found at extremely low levels in the bloodstream. The potential clinical benefit of capturing and counting CTCs is being investigated as more research data is gathered about the potential utility of these markers in monitoring disease progression and potentially guiding personalized cancer therapy.
Related Links:LabCorp Cancer Stem Cell Agent Companion Diagnostic Agreement
Improving Relationships and Diversifying the Site Selection Process
April 17th 2025In this episode of the Applied Clinical Trials Podcast, Liz Beatty, co-founder and chief strategy officer, Inato, discusses a number of topics around site engagement including community-based sites, the role of technology in improving site/sponsor relationships, how increased operational costs are impacting the industry, and more.
Behind the Buzz: Why Clinical Research Leaders Flock to SCOPE Summit
February 7th 2025In this episode, we meet with Micah Lieberman, Executive Conference Director for SCOPE Summit (Summit for Clinical Ops Executives) at Cambridge Innovation Institute. We will dive deep into the critical role of collaboration within the clinical research ecosystem. How do we bring together diverse stakeholders—sponsors, CROs, clinical trial tech innovators, suppliers, patients, sites, advocacy organizations, investors, and non-profits—to share best practices in trial design, program planning, innovation, and clinical operations? We’ll explore why it’s vital for thought leaders to step beyond their own organizations and learn from others, exchanging ideas that drive advancements in clinical research. Additionally, we’ll discuss the pivotal role of scientific conferences like SCOPE Summit in fostering these essential connections and collaborations, helping shape the future of clinical trials. Join us as we uncover how collective wisdom and cross-industry partnerships are transforming the landscape of clinical research.
Landmark Phase III Trial Shows Keytruda Significantly Improves Event-Free Survival in LA-HNSCC
April 28th 2025Interim KEYNOTE-689 trial data show that perioperative Keytruda significantly lowers the risk of disease progression or recurrence in resectable, locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, marking the first major clinical advance for this patient population in more than two decades.