Cancer remains one of the foremost health crises worldwide, responsible for a staggering number of fatalities annually. The urgent necessity for innovative detection techniques and personalized treatment regimens has never been more pressing. In response to this dire need, City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) is spearheading an ambitious research initiative that aims to fundamentally improve the landscape of cancer diagnostics. This cutting-edge project focuses on the development of a technology platform dedicated to the early detection of cancer, especially through the advanced analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The overarching goal of the initiative is to significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment personalization, marking a substantial leap forward in cancer care.
This research initiative is one of the first to receive funding from the newly established RAISe+ Scheme, which stands for Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme. Launched in October 2023, this expansive government program is backed by a $10 billion funding allocation aimed at accelerating the transformation of research and development outcomes from initial stages to full-scale implementation. It is designed to facilitate robust collaboration among key stakeholders, including government bodies, industries, universities, and the broader research community. Projects under this scheme can secure matching funds of up to HK$100 million, underscoring the significant investment in the future of scientific research in Hong Kong.
The research venture, titled “Microfluidics-Based Detection Platform for Circulating Tumor Cells and Its Applications in Cancer Early Screening and Disease Monitoring,” is under the astute leadership of Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, who serves as both the Senior Vice-President for Innovation and Enterprise and the Yeung Kin Man Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences at CityUHK. Under his guidance, the project aspires to create a next-generation CTC detection platform characterized by unparalleled sensitivity and specificity, aimed at meeting critical clinical requirements in the domains of early cancer screening and diagnostic evaluation.
Circulating tumor cells are particularly intriguing in the realm of cancer diagnostics, as they are detachments from a primary tumor that enter the bloodstream. Professor Yang elaborates on their significance, stating that CTCs encapsulate vital molecular genetic and cellular information pertaining to the primary tumor, thereby providing a unique window into the cancer’s biological behavior. He emphasizes the importance of precision diagnosis and comprehensive multi-omics analysis of these cells for effective cancer screening, ongoing disease monitoring, and the development of next-generation cell therapies and mRNA vaccines targeting specific tumor antigens. This intricate interplay of molecular data is pivotal for advancing personalized cancer treatment, tailoring therapeutic approaches that are closely aligned with the individual patient’s tumor profile.
The research team at CityUHK has demonstrated a consistent focus on innovation through the development of biochips and nanotechnology tailored for molecular diagnostics and therapeutics. Their accumulated expertise has led to the transformation of numerous academic research findings into clinically viable solutions, culminating in the establishment of multiple biotech companies. These efforts have leveraged CityUHK’s patented technologies, bringing measurable benefits to millions of patients, and accentuating the university’s commitment to societal impact through scientific inquiry. In a testament to his significant contributions, Professor Yang was recently elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors in 2024, recognizing his extensive achievements in innovation, economic development, and societal welfare.
The intrinsic value of circulating tumor cell testing lies in its multifaceted applications across tumor detection and treatment frameworks. Despite the promise shown by CTCs, ongoing limitations in current detection methodologies have hampered the full realization of their potential. Professor Yang and his colleagues have established a biotech enterprise, Cellomics, dedicated to commercializing technologies developed at CityUHK. Their pioneering products have already found a foothold in more than 50 hospitals throughout Mainland China, demonstrating the practical impact of their research on clinical practices.
The RAISe+ funding marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between government agencies, industry players, and academic institutions. With this financial backing, Professor Yang’s team is poised to embark on the design and development of an innovative platform that synergizes microfluidic chip technology with specialized immune-microparticle isolation techniques. This innovative approach is aimed at facilitating efficient and sensitive screening of circulating tumor cells based on their unique physical and biological properties.
The inherent challenges associated with CTC detection—including the rarity of these cells in blood samples and the complexity of their interactions with the blood matrix—require not only innovative technologies for enrichment and characterization but also the establishment of robust CTC-based cultures for comprehensive analysis. These advancements hold the potential to lay the groundwork for groundbreaking applications, such as personalized cancer vaccines and cell-based therapies, ushering in a new era of customized treatment options for patients battling cancer.
The envisioned project is multifaceted and aims for commercialization within the next two years. An integrated system will be developed, encompassing not only a state-of-the-art automated CTC sorting instrument but also cell staining devices and imaging systems, along with reagent kits for CTC profiling. Together, these components will facilitate the counting, classification, and downstream detection of proteins and genetic material associated with CTCs. Such advancements will empower early detection strategies, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and ultimately improve treatment selection and efficacy—all of which are critical for advancing precision medicine in oncology.
Professor Yang asserts the project’s dedication to establishing a commercially viable CTC detection system tailored specifically for cancer screening and monitoring. With an ambitious aim to increase early detection rates and enhance treatment effectiveness, the innovative technology being developed stands to significantly improve the quality of life for countless cancer patients by delivering timely and precise care that is fundamentally focused on individual patient needs.
As this groundbreaking project unfolds, it embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation that is critical in the fight against cancer. Through the pioneering work at CityUHK, researchers are not only contributing to the scientific understanding of cancer biology but are also translating knowledge into practical applications that hold the promise of changing lives. With ongoing advancements in bioengineering and molecular diagnostics, the quest for a more effective and personalized approach to cancer care continues, offering hope for a future where cancer detection and treatment are not only more efficient but also profoundly humane.
Subject of Research: Early detection of cancer through circulating tumor cells
Article Title: Innovative Advances in Cancer Detection: CityUHK’s Cutting-Edge Technology Platform
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Image Credits: City University of Hong Kong
Keywords: Circulating tumor cells, Cancer diagnostics, Precision medicine, City University of Hong Kong, RAISe+ Scheme, Microfluidics, Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, Personalized cancer treatment, Biotech innovation.
