Pune's Actorius Gets Government Approval for Made-in-India Blood Test That Finds Cancer Cells
OncoDiscover, developed by Dr. Jayant Khandare's Pune company, detects tumour cells circulating in the blood. Leading European scientists opened its new genetics lab.
By Sham Rathi ·
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Actorius Innovations and Research, a Pune medical technology company, has received approval from India's drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), for OncoDiscover, its blood test that detects cancer cells circulating in the bloodstream. The company says it is the first medical device licence of its kind in India.
The test was developed under Dr. Jayant Khandare, a Marathi scientist, who has worked with leading cancer researchers from Germany and France.
How the test works
Cancer cells that break away from a tumour and travel in the blood are called circulating tumour cells (CTCs). OncoDiscover picks them out from a blood sample using tiny magnetic particles and a fluorescence microscope. This kind of blood-based testing is called a liquid biopsy.
After cancer treatment, doctors often use a PET-CT scan to check whether a tumour has shrunk, but scans can only see growths of about 6 mm or more. According to Dr. Khandare, some cancer cells can remain in the blood even after a clear scan, and the test can give doctors extra information about them. Combined with next-generation sequencing (NGS), which reads changes in a tumour's genes, it can give a fuller picture of how a cancer is responding to treatment.
New genetics lab opened
Two of the world's best-known liquid biopsy scientists, Prof. Klaus Pantel from Germany and Prof. Catherine Alix-Panabières from France, visited Actorius in Pune to give a lecture and open its new genetics (NGS) laboratory. Prof. Pantel said the aim is to bring advanced tests within reach of ordinary patients, and Prof. Alix-Panabières said earlier information helps doctors plan treatment better.
Dr. Khandare said that home-grown technology will cut dependence on imports and make such tests easier to get. The company is also working on a future device to filter cancer cells from a patient's blood, which is still under development.
This is information about a new test, not medical advice. Please speak to your doctor about any test or treatment.
Questions and answers
What is OncoDiscover by Actorius Pune?
OncoDiscover is a blood test developed by Actorius Innovations and Research, Pune, that detects circulating tumour cells (cancer cells in the bloodstream). It is approved by India's drug regulator CDSCO.
Who developed the OncoDiscover cancer cell blood test?
It was developed by Actorius Innovations and Research, Pune, under Dr. Jayant Khandare.
What are circulating tumour cells (CTCs)?
Circulating tumour cells are cancer cells that break away from a tumour and travel in the blood. Finding them through a blood test is called a liquid biopsy.
Which government body approved the Actorius OncoDiscover test?
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India's drug and medical device regulator.
Who opened the Actorius genetics laboratory in Pune?
Prof. Klaus Pantel from Germany and Prof. Catherine Alix-Panabières from France, two leading liquid biopsy scientists, opened the new genetics (NGS) laboratory at Actorius in Pune.
How is the OncoDiscover test different from a PET-CT scan?
A PET-CT scan can see growths of about 6 mm or more. OncoDiscover looks for single cancer cells in a blood sample, which can give doctors extra information after treatment.
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