Cancer analysis system

Abstract

The invention provides for detecting target subpopulations of cells that have high proliferative and renewal properties in animals, including circulating tumor cells, cancer stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells. The invention utilizes a defined substrate and media of known property to enrich target cell subpopulations which can be used for future genetic, proteomic and morphological analyses. The method can use image-capture and analysis software to characterize cells based on physical properties, such as size, morphology and kinetic properties.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method for forming a cell population enriched in a target cell subpopulation of a heterogeneous cell population, the method comprising:
 a. incubating the target cell subpopulation under conditions of positive pressure and hypoxia in an enclosed environmental chamber; and   b. forming a large supply of cells enriched in the target cell population by further incubating the target cell subpopulation under the conditions of both positive pressure and hypoxia in the enclosed environmental chamber for a time sufficient for cell division to occur, wherein the large supply of cells is suitable for any one or more of a clinical, therapeutic, diagnostic, or research purpose,   
       wherein the enclosed environmental chamber is configured to provide said conditions of positive pressure and hypoxia. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the target cell subpopulation has been isolated from the heterogeneous cell population based on an assay of size, morphology, a physical property, a biological property, or a kinetic property of the target cell subpopulation. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the target cell subpopulation is selected from the group consisting of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), stem cells, epithelial cells, and immune cells. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the positive pressure is at least about 2 PSI over atmospheric pressure and wherein the hypoxic condition is in the range of about 1% O 2  to about 5% O 2 . 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the target cell subpopulation is CTC cells, and wherein the positive pressure is at least about 2 PSI over atmospheric pressure and wherein the hypoxic condition is in the range of about 2% O 2 . 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the target cell subpopulation is immune cells, and wherein the positive pressure is at least about 2 PSI over atmospheric pressure and wherein the hypoxic condition is in the range of about 1% to about 5% O 2 .