Surface-enhanced Raman scattering tags for rapid and homogeneous detection of circulating tumor cells in the presence of human whole blood.

A novel, homogeneous SERS-based cell detection assay was developed for rapid and direct enumeration of circulating tumor cells in the presence of whole blood. Magnetic beads and SERS tags were respectively conjugated to EpCAM and her2 antibodies for the capture and detection of approximately 50 tumor cells/mL in the presence of whole blood in less than 1 h.