New research data on various types of cancer show the presence of microcysts from tumors, which carry active tumor components (RNAs, proteins) into the bloodstream. Detection of these components can be performed in the blood by identifying the components of the microcysts.

In our laboratory, gene expression is determined in peripheral blood by RNA isolation. The DNA molecules are then digested by isolating the RNA after incubation with the enzyme DNAse I. The whole RNA is then converted to complementary DNA (cDNA) and the expression of various marker genes (by qRT-PCR) is revealed, which reveals the presence of cellular kinase receptors, epithelial cells e.g. cytokeratins (CK-19, CK20), telomerase, mutant forms of EGFR receptors (L858R), EGFRvIII, etc. compared to corresponding peripheral blood samples of healthy individuals.