Circulating tumor cells are cancer cells that circulate in the blood and can be used as important biomarkers related to cancer metastasis. To realize use of CTCs, we utilized biochips for enriching CTCs, which are rare in blood, to make the application of various molecular analysis methods in single-cell resolution possible. First, we applied whole genome sequencing of single CTCs after retrieving microstructures with single CTCs adhered through laser-induced isolation. Second, molecular profiles, such as gene expression and genetic mutations, in CTCs are simultaneously analyzed by combining microfluidic technology and in situ molecular profiling technology. Through these methods, rare CTCs were collected with high purity and single CTCs were analyzed, providing clues for understanding cancer metastasis which ultimately could have huge clinical impacts on patients. Furthermore, we are expanding the method of enriching CTCs and the number of features that can be observed in CTCs.
