Method of enriching rare cells

Abstract

The present invention provides for enriching rare cells in a fluid comprising the rare cells and non-rare cells. Examples of rare cells enriched include prostate cancer cells.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for enriching rare cells of interest in a bodily fluid sample comprising rare cells and non-rare cells, comprising: 
 (a) obtaining a bodily fluid sample comprising rare cells of interest and non-rare cells;    (b) subjecting said sample to a binding agent that binds non-rare cells;    (c) removing the bound non-rare cells from the sample so as to provide a sample enriched with the rare cells of interest.    
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein removing the bound non-rare cells from the sample comprises application of a magnetic field so as to separate the bound non-rare cells.  
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein said bodily fluid sample is selected from the group consisting of blood, urine, saliva, lymph, spinal fluid, semen, amniotic fluid, cavity fluids and tissue extracts.  
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein said bodily fluid sample is blood.  
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein said bodily fluid sample is amniotic fluid.  
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein said rare cells of interest are cancer cells.  
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein said rare cells of interest are fetal cells.  
     
     
         8 . A method for enriching rare cells of interest in a bodily fluid sample comprising rare cells and non-rare cells, comprising: 
 (a) obtaining a bodily fluid sample comprising rare cells of interest and non-rare cells;    (b) subjecting said sample to density gradient separation;    (c) selecting at least one gradient of interest and subjecting said gradient of interest to a binding agent that binds non-rare cells;    (d) removing the bound non-rare cells from the gradient of interest so as to provide a sample enriched with the rare cells of interest.    
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 8  wherein said binding agent has magnetic properties, and wherein removing the bound non-rare cells from the sample comprises application of a magnetic field so as to separate the bound non-rare cells.  
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 8  wherein said bodily fluid sample is selected from the group consisting of blood, urine, saliva, lymph, spinal fluid, semen, amniotic fluid, cavity fluids and tissue extracts.  
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 8  wherein said bodily fluid sample is blood.  
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 8  wherein said bodily fluid sample is amniotic fluid.  
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 8  wherein said rare cells of interest are cancer cells.  
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 8  wherein said rare cells of interest are fetal cells.