Tethis And Sheba Medical Center Announce Research Collaboration To Advance Ai-powered Liquid Biopsy In Rectal Cancer
Tethis S.p.A., a pioneer in standardized liquid biopsy platform development, and Sheba Medical Center, Israels largest medical center consistently ranked as a Top 10 Worlds Best Hospital by Newsweek magazine, today announced a research collaboration to evaluate circulating tumor cells CTCs in rectal cancer patients using Tethis proprietary technology. Under the agreement, a Tethis See.d instrument will be installed at Shebas Institute of Pathology.
The study, led by Prof. Iris Barshack will focus on monitoring CTCs and ctDNA in patients with rectal cancer before and after neoadjuvant therapy. Blood samples will be collected at multiple time points to establish baseline CTC levels and track changes throughout treatment. The research aims to evaluate the potential of CTCs combined with ctDNA as a surrogate marker to predict relapse of rectal carcinoma earlier than conventional imaging studies.
Working with Sheba represents a significant step in expanding the applications of our liquid biopsy platform, states Dr. Holger Neecke , CEO of Tethis. Our See.d instrument, combined with our nanocoated SmartBioSurface slides, enables standardized preparation of cytology specimens containing immune and tumor cells, suited for sequential multiplexing and interpretation with artificial intelligence, while collecting plasma for cell free DNA analysis.
This collaboration exemplifies Shebas commitment to advancing precision medicine through innovative technologies, says Prof. Iris Barshack , Head of the Pathology Institute. By combining Tethis cutting-edge liquid biopsy platform with our extensive clinical expertise in oncology, we aim to develop more effective strategies for monitoring treatment response in rectal cancer patients.
The analysis of the cytology specimens using bright field multi-staining immunohistochemistry and AI-powered algorithms builds upon our successful proof-of-concept studies with model cells, advancing the field of digital cytology in liquid biopsy applications , says Dr. Nadia Prisant , Head of the Liquid Biopsy Laboratory. The ability to prepare high-quality cytology slides at the point of blood collection may provide valuable insights into disease progression and help guide treatment decisions for our patients.