Circulating tumor cells: getting more from less.

Recent insights into circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been driven by numerous technological innovations aimed at isolating, purifying, and analyzing these rare cells. However, the information density within these cells has yet to be truly accessed and exploited for patient benefit. A device reported by Issadore et al. in this issue of Science Translational Medicine proposes a highly sensitive methodology that may both extend CTC capture to a broader patient population and provide greater understanding of biological targets for personalized medical therapies.