Layer-by-layer fabrication of alginate/polyethyleneimine multilayer on magnetic interface with enhanced efficiency in immuno-capturing circulating tumor cells

The technology of capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) plays a crucial role in the diagnosis, evaluation of therapeutic efficacy, and prediction of prognosis in lung cancer. However, the presence of complex blood environment often results in severe nonspecific protein adsorption and interferences from blood cells, which negatively impacts the specificity of CTCs capture. There is a great need for development of novel nanomaterials for CTCs capture with prominent anti-nonspecific adsorptions from proteins or blood cells.