Project Grant R01CA296872

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) awarded a 4-year, $554,653 Project Grant (CFDA 93.394 - Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research) to the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, WA for the "RARECYTEFINDER" project. The goal of this project is to develop an advanced, label-free method for the unbiased identification and comprehensive molecular analysis of rare disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) present in liquid and tissue biopsy specimens across various solid tumor types. The project aims to leverage genome-wide copy number alterations as a robust marker to overcome the limitations of traditional DTC detection methods, providing accurate identification and molecular insights into these rare cells. Key objectives include validating the RARECYTEFINDER approach for CTC analysis in blood samples, developing a bioinformatic and machine learning-based module to map DTC transcriptome signatures and drug sensitivities, and extending the method to rare isolated tumor cells in peritumoral tissues and lymph nodes. The project leverages the Institute for Systems Biology's expertise in advanced scientific research, data integration, and computational modeling to advance the understanding of DTCs in cancer metastasis and progression.