METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING, PROGNOSING, OR THERANOSING A CONDITION USING RARE CELLS
Described herein are methods for diagnosing, prognosing, or theranosing a condition using rare cells.
1 - 18 . (canceled)
19 . A method for diagnosing, theranosing, or prognosing a condition in a subject, comprising:
a) enriching one or more rare cells from a sample obtained from said subject using a microfluidic device;
b) performing a first analysis of one or more cell subtypes of said one or more rare cells; and
c) evaluating the result of said first analysis to make said diagnosis, theranosis, or prognosis.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising labeling one or more rare cells using a first label and labeling one or more cell subtypes using a second label.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the first label is distinct from the second label.
22 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the first label and the second label have a light absorption wavelength or a fluorescence emission wavelength that is separated by more than 5, 10, 25, 30, 40, or 50 nm.
23 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the first analysis comprises enumerating the one or more cell subtypes.
24 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the cell subtypes comprise circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor stem cells, circulating stem cells, or stem cells.
25 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the microfluidic device comprises an array of obstacles and/or one or more binding moieties.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the one or more binding moieties comprise anti-EpCAM.
27 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising subjecting said enriched one or more rare cells to one or more therapeutic treatments after step b), performing a second analysis of one or more cell subtypes, and evaluating the results of said first and second analysis to make said diagnosis, theranosis, or prognosis.
28 . The method of claim 19 , wherein steps a)-c) are performed at a first time and a second time, and the results obtained from at the first time and the results obtained at the second time are evaluated to make said diagnosis, theranosis, or prognosis.
29 . The method of claim 28 , further comprising subjecting said patient to one or more therapeutic treatments between said first time and said second time.
30 - 37 . (canceled)