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WHAT IS IT?

Sentinel qCTC is a research-use-only liquid biopsy assay designed to detect and quantify circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in blood samples. CTCs are intact, living tumour cells that may enter the bloodstream after detaching from a primary tumour or metastatic site. By enabling sensitive measurement of these cells, Sentinel qCTC provides researchers with valuable insights into tumour biology, disease dynamics, and the potential role of CTCs as biomarkers. This technology is currently still intended for research purposes only and is not yet cleared or approved for diagnostic use.

The Test;

• Uses only a small 15 ml EDTA blood sample
• Is non-invasive and repeatable over time
• Is analysed in an ISO 15189-accredited laboratory
• Or as a CE marked medical device (Currently being worked on)

DIAGNOSTIC & MONITORING USES

Sentinel qCTC is a highly sensitive, research use only liquid biopsy assay that detects and enumerates Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) in blood samples. These rare, living tumour cells may provide researchers with unique insights into tumour biology, disease progression and treatment response.

As part of ongoing research qCTC is being explored for its potential to:

• Support earlier detection of disease changes compared to conventional methods
• Provide insight into therapy effectiveness, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted approaches
• Enable longitudinal tracking of tumour cell activity during follow-up or periods of remission
• Inform research into how treatment strategies might be adapted over time

It applies to most solid epithelial tumours (e.g. breast, prostate, colon, lung).

While still under investigation, CTC analysis is being studied across a broad range of solid epithelial tumours (e.g., breast, prostate, colon, lung). For example, in breast cancer research, investigators are evaluating whether routine CTC monitoring (e.g., every 3–6 months) may offer insights into recurrence risk and help address patient concerns about uncertainty between scans.

CLINICAL PERFORMANCE

Sentinel qCTC builds on the foundation of a validated method that has been described in more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and investigated in ~30 clinical trials. This body of research demonstrates the potential of CTC analysis for:

• Reliable detection of rare, single living tumour cells in blood
• Quantitative insights into minimal residual disease and overall disease burden
• Associations between increasing CTC counts and higher recurrence risk in research settings

Frontier has advanced this approach into Sentinel qCTC to support ongoing exploration of how living CTC measurements can contribute to a deeper understanding of cancer biology, treatment response, and disease dynamics.

To support researchers and clinicians in these studies, Sentinel qCTC generates reports that include clear, illustrated summaries of results, designed to be communicated in plain, accessible language.