Cells labeled for use as a functional internal control detection assays rare cells

摘要

A method for detecting and enumerating rare cells in a mixed cell population, wherein the presence of said rare cells in said indicative of the severity of a disease, comprising population: a) Preparing immunomagnetic sample wherein a blood sample obtained of a test subject mixed with magnetic particles, said sample comprising a mixed cell population is believed containing said rare cells and said magnetic particles coupled to a ligand which specifically reacts with a determinant of the rare cells to the substantial exclusion other sample components. b) Contacting said immunomagnetic sample with at least one reagent which marks a determinant of the rare cells; c) analyze rare cells labeled for the presence and number of any rare cells in the immunomagnetic sample, the greater number of rare cells present in said sample, the greater severity of the disease, where the control cell having determinants in common with the rare cells and wherein the membrane of said control cell is detectably labeled and the cellular components and antigenic moieties of the control cell have been stabilized for a period of up to six months by exposure to a fixative, wherein, optionally, said rare cell is a cancer cell and said disease is cancer.