Methods to isolate or enrich, detect and estimate the number of rare cells per unit of biological fluid demamu00edfero and kit for capture, detection or isolation of the same

摘要

The invention provides a method for isolating or enriching a rare cell from a biological fluid of a mammal employing an antibody that binds a cell-surface antigen of the rare cell. The immobilized antibody is incubated with a sample of biological fluid that includes the rare cells and a plurality of other cells so as to form an antibody-rare cell complex. The complex can be detected or isolated and subsequently analyzed by any of a variety of physical, chemical and genetic techniques.