A leukocyte-inspired multiscale hierarchical interface for high-efficiency capture and gentle release of circulating tumor cells

studies revealed capture efficiencies above 83% across diverse EpCAM-expressing tumor cells, with release efficiencies exceeding 94% and post-release viability greater than 89%. Importantly, clinical validation using blood samples from 15 cancer patients demonstrated reliable isolation of phenotypically diverse CTCs. This work presents a smart bioinspired system with broad implications for rare cell sorting, liquid biopsy technologies, and next-generation precision oncology.