Immunomagnetic detection of cancer cells in pleural effusion of generalized cancer.

Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) are a common clinical problem in patients with neoplastic disease. Pleural fluid cytology is the simplest definitive method for obtaining a diagnosis of MPE. We describe a method that may increase the cancer cell detection rate using immunomagnetic separation in MPE. In comparison to standard MPE cytodiagnostic methods, we report a more streamlined method of isolation living cells that are able to proliferate. These captured cells can then be used for additional downstream analysis e.g. chemosensitivity testing. Several case studies of MPE diagnostics using immunomagnetic separation are presented in the following report. The immunomagnetic separation of cancer cells from MPE could be used for more accurate staging of patients with routine effusions.