Marathi Researcher Dr Jayant Khandare Collaborates with Scientists from Germany and France

Pune, October 23: With cancer cases on the rise in India, early diagnosis continues to be a major challenge. Against this backdrop, Marathi researcher Dr Jayant Khandare and his team have developed an indigenous technology aimed at detecting cancer cells circulating in the bloodstream.

Actorius Innovations and Research Lab, based in Pune, has received India’s first medical device licence of its kind from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Government of India, for its research and technology relating to Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) and liquid biopsy.

Actorius Innovations is an Indian med-tech company focused on developing affordable solutions for cancer diagnosis and precision oncology.

OncoDiscover® is a CDSCO-approved in-vitro diagnostic medical device developed by Actorius to detect Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) in blood samples. The technology uses immunomagnetic enrichment and fluorescence microscopy to identify tumour cells circulating in the bloodstream. This indigenously developed technology is considered an important step towards strengthening India’s domestic capabilities in liquid biopsy.

Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) enables the identification of genetic alterations in tumours. When combined with CTC analysis, NGS has the potential to provide a more comprehensive understanding of cancer biology, treatment response and disease progression. However, these applications require appropriate clinical evidence to establish their effectiveness.

Complementary Role in Cancer Monitoring

PET-CT scans are commonly used to assess changes in tumour size following cancer treatment. However, the technology has limitations in detecting very small tumours, with the source material citing a detection threshold of approximately 6 mm or larger. Consequently, cancer may recur or spread to other parts of the body even when imaging results do not reveal all residual disease.

OncoDiscover® is designed to detect residual cancer cells circulating in a patient’s blood, potentially providing additional information about the risk of recurrence and metastasis. The technology is intended to complement existing diagnostic methods, with its clinical applications depending on further evidence and validation.

Two internationally recognised scientists, Dr Klaus Pantel and Dr Catherine Alix-Panabières, recently visited Actorius to deliver lectures and participate in the inauguration of the company’s NGS laboratory. They are also collaborating with Actorius on research and evaluating its emerging technologies in their laboratories.

Dr Jayant Khandare said, “Even after a PET scan, some cancer cells may remain in the bloodstream. OncoDiscover® technology can provide complementary information for studying these cells. Indigenous technology can help reduce dependence on imports and make diagnostic testing more accessible.”

He further stated that Actorius is developing a device designed to filter CTCs from the blood of cancer patients, with the aim of delaying or potentially preventing metastasis. If its safety and effectiveness are established through clinical research, the technology could represent a significant advancement in efforts to reduce deaths caused by metastatic cancer, particularly among patients diagnosed at an early stage.

Dr Klaus Pantel said the objective was to make advanced diagnostic testing accessible and affordable to the general public.

Dr Catherine Alix-Panabières emphasised that obtaining information at an early stage could help doctors plan treatment more effectively, describing the technology as an important step in that direction.

The development of OncoDiscover® highlights the growing potential of India’s indigenous medical technology sector to contribute to cancer research and precision oncology. Its eventual clinical impact will depend on continued validation and evidence demonstrating how effectively it can support patient care.