While most cancer therapies focus on shrinking visible tumors, Dr. Khandare highlights that the greatest danger often comes from rare and elusive circulating tumor cells (CTCs). These single cells can break away from the primary tumor, survive in the bloodstream, evade the immune system, and quietly seed metastases in distant organs. This process frequently triggers disease recurrence long after initial treatments appear successful and imaging scans declare no evidence of disease. Metastasis, he emphasizes, is not a bulk phenomenon but often begins with these rare circulating cells that escape conventional detection.

This microscopic reality is prompting a fundamental shift in oncology, moving away from purely localized treatments toward a deeper understanding and control of systemic cancer spread. Actorius Innovations has placed this single-cell biology at the center of its mission, developing technologies that address the root drivers of disease progression rather than just the visible manifestations.

Central to this effort is OncoDiscover, India’s first DCGI-approved liquid biopsy test for the detection and enumeration of circulating tumor cells. Requiring only 5ml of blood, this highly sensitive, minimally invasive platform delivers repeatable and actionable insights into systemic tumor activity. It empowers oncologists to identify patients at higher risk of relapse even when standard imaging suggests stability, enabling earlier interventions, more precise monitoring, and truly personalized treatment strategies.

Complementing this detection capability is OncoMetastat, Actorius’ innovative interventional technology currently in development. Designed as a CTC dialysis or extracorporeal filtration platform, OncoMetastat aims to actively capture and remove these dangerous circulating cells from the bloodstream before they can establish new tumors. By directly targeting the drivers of metastasis, this approach represents a paradigm shift from passive observation to proactive therapeutic intervention against systemic disease.

Dr. Jayant Khandare stated, “Cancer’s greatest challenge remains metastasis, the spread of disease that claims most lives. Our focus has always been on systemic biology rather than localized tumors. Through OncoDiscover, we empower clinicians with non-invasive, repeatable insights into CTCs to detect and monitor spread early. With OncoMetastat, we are pioneering interventional approaches to capture and eliminate these cells extracorporeally, aiming to disrupt the metastatic process at its source. These technologies represent first-in-class solutions that could transform how cancer is detected, tracked, and ultimately controlled, bringing hope to patients worldwide by addressing the root of advanced disease.”

Founded in 2013 by Dr. Jayant Khandare and Aravindan Vasudevan, with Rick Kamble joining as a key leader in 2016, Actorius Innovations and Research operates laboratories in Pune, India, and Pasadena, USA. The company specializes in novel biomaterials and advanced platforms for cancer diagnostics, monitoring, and intervention, with a strong emphasis on early detection and metastasis prevention. Actorius has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications, secured multiple U.S. patents, and regularly presents its work at leading global conferences including ASCO, AACR, and ESMO.

For more information, visit www.actorius.in