NZ718485B2 - Biological fluid filtration assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to biological fluid filtration assemblies and to methods of using such assemblies. The biological fluid filtration assembly has a filtration device for filtering a biological fluid sample and a storage unit, the storage unit having a body configured to engage with a removable filter cartridge of the device such that, when engaged, the filter of the filter cartridge is sealed within the body of the storage unit. ovable filter cartridge of the device such that, when engaged, the filter of the filter cartridge is sealed within the body of the storage unit.

Description

/052776 W0 2015/036781 Biological fluid tion assemblx This application claims priority benefit of 347.2 which was filed 13 September 2014 and is incorporated herein in its entirety.

Field of the Invention The present invention s to biological fluid filtration assemblies and to methods of using such assemblies.

Background of the ion cancer in the world. The Bladder cancer is the sixth most common include microscopic or macroscopic hematuria, symptoms painful ion and polyuria; however, none of these ms is specific for the disease. The gold standard for diagnosing bladder is cystoscopy and subsequent transurethral cancer (TURBT). The sensitivity of resection of the bladder tumour cystoscopy for non—muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC; stage Ta, T1 and Tie) is around 80% with white—light cystoscopy and >95% with fluorescence (hexaminolevulinate)—guided cystoscopy.

The majority of bladder tumour patients (70—80%) are diagnosed which has the with NMIBC, a relatively good prognosis. However, recurrence rate for these tumours is 70% very high, with around of the patients experiencing relapses, and up to 25% of these cancers recurrences will progress to muscle invasive (MIBC; stage and the T2—4) with a poor prognosis. The high recurrence rate risk of progression require ong surveillance with periodic cystoscopy, making bladder cancer the most expensive cancer to 3O treat (Avritscher et al., 2006). As less than 10% of all patients presenting with microscopic or visible hematuria will diagnosed with bladder cancer, the number of cystoscopies performed to rule out bladder cancer is high and places a considerable burden on the healthcare system. er, as considerable cystoscopy is an invasive method that causes discomfort to the ts, there is an unmet need for noninvasive techniques for reliable and cost—effective diagnosis and surveillance of bladder cancer- 40 Voided urine from r tumour patients may contain exfoliated PCT/G32014/052776 tumour cells that can be identified by cytology. Urine cytology has been used for decades and is still the most common noninvasive technique for detection of bladder tumours. r, of NMIBC it has a low sensitivity for detection (10—20%).

Several alternative non~invasive tests have been developed, that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug including some Administration (FDA): Bladder tumour antigen assay, NMP22, ImmunoCyt and Urovysion. To date, none of these tests has achieved widespread use in clinical practice due to low (2006). Urothelial cancer biomarkers for specificity (Liou,L.S. detection and surveillance. Urology 67, 25—33; . . from urine. 22 Diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma Mod. Pathol. 853—859; Wadhwa,N., Jatawa,S.K., and Tiwari,A. (2012).

Suppl 2, Non—invasive urine based tests for the detection of bladder cancer. J. Clin. . 65, 5.).

Bladder tumour cells contain a large number of genome alterations, including gross chromosomal aberrations, amplifications, deletions, single nucleotide substitutions and Only a minority of the aberrant DNA methylation. changes found for ting and in individual tumours may be required maintaining stic growth (“drivers”), with the remainder on the being nger” events that have no or little effect Both driver and passenger events may have a malignant phenotype. potential as biomarkers for bladder cancer, provided that they tissues or present are cancer specific (i.e., not found in normal and recurrent (i.e., occur in at a different level of sion) at appreciable frequencies). The independently g tumours most frequently mutated genes in bladder cancer include the proto—oncogenes FGFR3, RAS, and PIKSCA, and the tumour suppressor in NMIBC, with ed TP53. Mutations in FGFR3 are common gene frequencies of >60%, whereas TP53 mutations are predominantly found in MIBC. In addition, hundreds of genes have been shown to s and normal be differentially methylated between bladder bladder epithelium.

Studies over the last decade have shown that it is possible in DNA isolated detect bladder tumour—specific genome alterations from urine sediments. The sensitivity and icity of DNA— studies, based bladder tumour detection vary considerably among PCT/G32014/052776 depending on the patient population, the choice of DNA biomarkers and the methods employed for detecting these biomarkers. Some studies have reported diagnostic ivities close to or above 90% and specificities close to 100% (Dulaimi et a1 (2004).

Detection of bladder cancer in urine by a tumor suppressor gene hypermethylation panel. Clin. Cancer Res. 10, 1887—1893; Costa er a1 (2010). Three epigenetic biomarkers, GDF15, TMEFF2, and VIM, accurately predict bladder cancer from sed analyses of urine samples. Clin. Cancer Res. 16, 5842-5851; Hogue et al (2006). Quantitation of promoter methylation of multiple genes in urine DNA and bladder cancer detection. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 98, 996-1004; Reinert et a1 (2011). hensive genome methylation analysis in r cancer: identification and validation of novel methylated genes and application of these as urinary tumor markers. Clin. Cancer Res. 17, 5582—5592). A recent study has suggested that is of DNA biomarkers in urine can also be used to monitor recurrence and reduce the number of cystoscopies in low~risk patients with no concomitant tumour (Reinert et a1 (2012). Diagnosis of bladder cancer recurrence based on urinary levels of EOMES, HOXA9, POU4F2, TWISTl, VIM, and ZNE'154 hypermethylation. PLoS. One. 7, e46297). With the advent of improved methods for detection of low-abundant, —specific DNA, including third—generation PCR (digital PCR) and next— generation sequencing, the potential of urine—based detection of bladder tumours has increased dramatically.

One of the main nges when using urinary DNA markers for diagnosis and llance of bladder cancer is to obtain a sufficient number of cells for downstream analysis. In some s, up to 35% of the samples have been excluded from analysis due to insufficient amounts of DNA (Reinert et al., 2012). The number of tumour cells exfoliated into the urine shows a high inter— and intra—individual variability. In general, the number of cells released correlates with tumour size and stage, such that small early-stage tumours will release fewer cells than MIBC. This limits the usefulness of urinary DNA markers in the non—invasive detection and ring of disease and disease progression.

PCT/G320] 4/052776 Summary of the Invention The present invention is based on the ors’ insight that a convenient and efficient assembly for capturing and storing biological material obtained from biological fluids may offer significant advantages for patients and l practitioners in the diagnosis and long—term monitoring of conditions and disorders.

Broadly, the present invention relates to filtration assemblies for easy and low—cost collection of biological material from biological fluids and to methods using these filtration assemblies. The present invention r relates to assemblies for the storage of biological material ted from such fluids, and methods of using the same.

The provision of lies for easy and low—cost collection biological material from biological fluids which may, for example, be ed to a patient for use at home, offers significant advantages to patients. The captured al may be immediately stored, either for later provision to an analyst or medical tioner at an appointment, or mailed to an appropriate medical centre or g facility for analysis through a mail carrier.

Assemblies of the present invention also offer advantages in the provision of medical care in a patient's home by visiting medical practitioners and carers. Captured material may be stored immediately, either for mailing to an appropriate medical centre or testing ty or transport there by the l practitioner or carer. Assemblies of the present invention also offer advantages in the provision of medical care during clinic or hospital visits and/or stays.

For example, assemblies and methods described herein may be of relevance to the collection and filtering of urine for the capture and detection of cells associated with genitourinary disorders. These disorders may include urinary cancers such as for example, and not by way of tion, bladder, prostate and renal cancer. These disorders may also include 40 gynecological cancers such as endometrial cancer or cancers that PCT/GB2OI4/052776 have metastasized to the genitourinary site from other sites.

Uses of the assemblies described herein ed to urine filtration were prompted by the inventors’ insights into the limitations of current procedures for bladder tumour diagnosis and the disadvantages of oystoscopy, which is commonly used for the diagnosis and erm monitoring of patients, both in terms of discomfort to the patient and the burdens placed by this approach on health care systems.

However, cells and other biological material associated with urological disorders other than cancer may also be captured and stored using lies of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that assemblies of the invention may also be used for the collection of cells (such as for example, and not by way of limitation, normal epithelial, cancer, bacterial or yeast cells) and other biological material (such as for example, and not by way of limitation, proteins or nucleic acids) from other biological samples, such as for example, and not by way of limitation, saliva, sera, blood, and washes, for example, bladder washes.

The assembly may comprise a filtration device and a e unit.

The method may comprise an initial step of capturing biological material by forcing fluid through a filter that is housed in a cartridge. After t, for example, a removable filter filtration, the support with filter content can be removed from the filtration device and placed into the storage unit, which may contain an appropriate solution for tating storage and/or 3O analysis of the captured biological material.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present ion may provide a biological fluid filtration assembly sing a filtration device for filtering a biological fluid sample, and a storage unit, the filtration device having a collection chamber, a waste reservoir, and a filter support rm, the filter support rm housing a removable filter cartridge having a filter le for capturing biological al present in the biological fluid sample; wherein the collection chamber, waste 40 reservoir and filter t platform are connectable to permit PCT/GBZOI4/052776 of from the collection chamber into passage a biological fluid the waste oir through the filter of the filter cartridge; and the storage unit having a body configured to engage with the removable filter cartridge such that, when engaged, the filter of the filter cartridge is sealed within the body of the storage unit.

The filter cartridge may be slidably retained in the filter support platform. That is, the filter t platform may have a recess of a size and shape suitable for receiving the filter cartridge such that, when the filter cartridge is inserted, the filter is positioned as bed so that, in use, fluid passes collection r into the waste reservoir through the from the filter. This slidable engagement may be provided with complementary protrusions and recesses on the filter cartridge and in the to improve the fit and hold and/or to provide a recess interaction accidental removal of the snap fit—type to prevent filter cartridge in use. 2O The storage unit body may comprise a recess for slidably receiving the filter cartridge. Preferably, the recess of the storage unit body is configured to engage with the filter dge such that the filter cartridge may not be removed accidentally. This may be through use of a sufficiently close fit, or by the provision of mentary protrusions and the filter cartridge and in the recess to improve the es on fit and hold and/or to provide a snap fit—type interaction to retain the filter cartridge in place.

The storage unit body may have an opening to permit access to the filter and/or filter content of the filter and/or a liquid surrounding the filter when the filter cartridge is in place.

Thus, the storage unit may r comprise a removable lid covering the opening. It will be appreciated that depending on the intended use and on the nature of the lid, in some ments the lid may be arranged to provide access only to the filter content, that is, the biological material trapped on the filter following use, or to the filter content and/or any surrounding liquid following use.

PCT/GBZfll4/052776 For some applications, it may be preferable for the captured ical material to be exposed to a solution prior to analysis. This may facilitate analysis and/or improve storage.

A suitable solution may, for example, be a buffer suitable inducing cell lysis, a fixative/preservative, a culture , elution, each as an isotonic buffer, or an riate buffer for bed herein. It will be appreciated that the provision of a solution chamber, and the inclusion of a solution, is an optional feature.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the storage unit is arranged such that the lid has a solution chamber containing a solution selected to tate storage and/or analysis of the biological material, wherein ment of the lid with the e unit body causes the solution to be released such that it contacts the filter. It will be iated that for assemblies having such an arrangement, after filtration and capture of biological material on the filter, the filter cartridge may be ed into the storage unit without the lid in place. The lid may then be fitted, thereby releasing the solution.

The storage unit may alternatively be configured to have a solution chamber arranged such that engagement of the filter cartridge with the storage unit causes the release of the on into contact with the filter. In some preferred embodiments, the storage unit has a piston retained within the recess, the piston and recess defining a solution chamber distal from the solution chamber containing a recess opening, the solution selected to facilitate storage, processing and/or 3O analysis of the ical material, the piston being configured such that insertion of the filter cartridge into the recess causes the piston to move further in to the recess, such that the solution contained within the r is forced around the piston into contact with the filter, are therefore with any filter content present. The storage unit may be provided with a solution in place in the chamber, or may be provided separately for inclusion in the storage unit by a user. Accordingly, access to the solution chamber may be permitted by removal of a lid. 40 While it will be appreciated that assemblies described herein may PCT/G82014/052776 to y, that be used filter ical fluids using only is, through gravitational percolation, it is preferable to provide a means of, or for, facilitating passage of the biological liquid through the filter. This may be achieved by creating a pressure differential, for example, by providing means for applying pressure to the liquid in the collection chamber to push the biological fluid through the , or by providing means for creating a vacuum in the waste reservoir to pull the biological fluid through the filter.

Preferably, the filtration device has means to enable application of pressure to a fluid contained within the collection chamber when the device is assembled to force the fluid through the filter into the waste reservoir. The collection chamber may itself be compressible such that when the tion device is assembled and the collection chamber contains a fluid sample, compression of the collection chamber applies pressure to the fluid, thereby forcing the fluid h the filter into the waste reservoir. For example, the collection chamber may be a cylindrical bag with a spring surrounding the cylindrical bag along its cylindrical axis, thereby permitting compression of the cylindrical bag in the direction of its cylindrical axis.

However, alternative arrangements may be used. For example, collection chamber may be provided with a piston configured to force ical fluid through the filter from the collection chamber to the waste oir when the filtration device is sample provision. A pump system may also be assembled following used to apply pressure.

In an alternative arrangement, means may be provided for generating to uck the fluid through the filter. a vacuum This may be through use of a pump arranged to draw air out of the waste reservoir, thereby creating a , or the waste reservoir may itself be provided with r under vacuum. This the waste chamber may then be opened to the remainder of reservoir, for example by releasing a valve, to draw the fluid through the filter during filtration.

If force/draw a pressure differential is to be used to the biological fluid through the filter, it may be desirable to PCT/G32014/052776 include one or valves configured to allow pressure within device to equilibrate during and after application pressure/vacuum.

While it will be appreciated that assemblies of the present invention are applicable to the filtration of many biological fluid samples as described herein, in some preferred embodiments the biological fluid is urine or a bladder wash, most preferably urine. In some other embodiments, the fluid may be blood or and/or serum. The waste reservoir may contain an absorbent ising material, which may be ally ageous for the filtration of urine samples.

The filter may be selected to capture biological material as filter is desired and as described herein. Preferably, the selected to capture biological al associated with the diagnosis and/or prognosis of a disease, condition or disorder, for example, with . In some preferred embodiments the biological material is cells suspended in the biological fluid, more preferably, cells suspended in urine.

The biological material may be tested for the presence of, example, markers associated with the diagnosis and/or prognosis of a disease, condition or disorder. The biological material may be cells suitable for testing for the presence of a marker that is indicative of a particular disease, condition or disorder, for example, markers associated with the diagnosis and/or prognosis of urological s. 3O In a further aspect, the present invention may provide method of ing biological material from a biological sample using an ly as bed herein, the method comprising: (i) providing a biological fluid sample into the collection chamber; to the filter (ii) connecting the collection r support platform and waste reservoir; (iii) g the biological fluid sample to flow from the collection chamber into the waste reservoir h the filter to in the fluid; and capture biological material present from the filter 40 (iv) removing the filter cartridge support PCT/G32014/052776 platform and inserting the filter cartridge into the storage unit.

The method may further comprise the step of applying pressure to the biological fluid sample in the collection r to force flow of the biological fluid sample from the collection chamber into the waste reservoir through the filter, for example, by compressing the collection chamber, if the assembly is suitably arranged. Alternatively, the method may further comprise the to suck step of generating a vacuum within the waste reservoir the biological fluid sample through the filter.

The filter cartridge and storage unit combination may provide a ient sealed unit for storage and/or transportation of the captured biological material. For example, the filter cartridge and storage unit combination may then be stored prior to testing, given to an appropriate care giver, for example, a medical practitioner, or transported using, for example, a al mail carrier or internal mail system, in each case conveniently and hygienically.

Once received by an analyst, the captured biological material may be retrieved from the filter and/or any surrounding liquid and in the tested as described . This testing may assist diagnosis and/or prognosis of conditions as described .

Accordingly, in ion provides a a further aspect the present method wherein, having filtered a biological fluid sample using an assembly and/or method as bed herein, a method comprising the steps of (i) isolating nucleic acids, proteins or cells from the biological material captured on the filter and/or in the solution if present; and (ii) testing the ed material for markers known to be associated with a particular disease, condition or disorder.

It will be appreciated that assemblies as bed herein will typically be provided to a user, who may be the patient themselves or an appropriate care giver such as a medical practitioner, in a kit form. Accordingly, in a r aspect the present invention provides a kit comprising a collection chamber, support platform, a waste reservoir, and a a filter storage unit, as any one embodiment described herein, and, ally, instructions for a method as described herein.

It will be appreciated that in some circumstances, the individual elements of the assembly may be provided separately, and that the invention also provides a filter cartridge as bed herein and a storage unit as described herein which may be supplied tely to the remainder of the assembly.

The present invention includes any combination of the aspects and preferred features described herein except where such a ation is y impermissible or expressly avoided.

Brief Description of the Figures Embodiments and methods of the present ion will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows technical an exploded View of a a drawing showing filtration assembly according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a collection chamber (left) and filtration unit (right).

Figure 3 shows a side view of an assembled device of the present ion. the Figure 4 shows an alternative storage unit according to present invention, and the assembly thereOf.

Figure 5 shows denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of HRAS exon 2. The human cell line T24 is homozygous for the GlZV mutation.

Figure 6 shows pyrosequencing is of 6 CpG sites in the BCLZ promoter. A) Filtered sample, B) unfiltered .

Figure 7 shows MethyLight analysis of the BCLZ promoter in urine samples from pt. X (diagnosed with a high-grade Ta tumour). A positive signal A labels was obtained only for the filter sample; the “Filter", B labels the “Sediment”.

Figure 8 shows quencing analysis of the BCL2 er. A) Filtered sample from pt. Y, B) sediment from pt. Y.

Figure 9 shows capture of tumor cells from fluid by filtration 40 using a device mounted with an 8—um pore size polycarbonate PCT/G82014/052776 (each of membrane filter. Data of triplicate measurements on 4% experiment are represented as means : SD. total DNA) from one represent the number of recovered cells tages above bars ve to the number of input cells. of bladder cancer Figure 10 shows filtration-based enrichment normal lymphocytes. A) ddPCR cells in a ound of fluorescence amplitude plots of FGFR3 R248C—FAM probe fluorescence signal (upper panel) and FGFR3 WT—HEX probe chart showing the fluorescence signal (lower panel). B) Bar ve to number of number of mutant and WT FGFR molecules Total counts of FGFR molecules were calculated input tumor cells. of three independent ddPCR tests, each using 4% of on the basis total DNA as means i SD. as template, and are represented the bars represent the number of recovered Percentages above cells relative to the number of input cells.

Figure 11 shows detection of tumor-derived DNA in paired urine samples prepared by device filtration and sedimen:ation. tested Equimolar amounts of DNA from filters and nts were for FGFR3 mutations using ddPCR.

Detailed Description invention are ed The following ations of the present by way of example and not limitation.

The Assembly of an assembled biological fluid filtration An exploded view assembly according to the present invention is shown in Figure The assembled device and use thereof is shown in Figure 3, while Figure 2 shows the collection chamber (left) and a filtration 3O unit assembled from the filter support rm and waste assembled reservoir (right) prior to their coupling to afford the device. of sample The collection chamber 1 is open—topped for convenience is formed of a provision. The collection chamber cylindrical bag 3 of water—impermeable material, which approximately 100 mm in a volume length and 95 mm in diameter and is suitable for housing of approximately 500 mL for convenience of sample provision samples. It will be maximal DNA when analysing urine appreciated 40 that other sizes and volumes may be appropriate, both PCT/G32014/052776 collection of urine and other biological fluid samples. For example, for uses to accommodate of 20 mL to some sizes volumes 250 mL may be appropriate. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the collection chamber is suitable for housing up to 400 mL, 300 mL, 250 mL, 100 mL, 50 mL, or up to 20 mL. While larger volumes may be appropriate for urine collection, smaller volumes may be preferable for the filtration of, for example, saliva.

The rical bag is contained within a spring 5 which imparts some ty to the cylindrical bag of the collection chamber.

At the sealed end of the cylindrical bag is a lid 7 and at the is an r open end of the cylindrical bag spring attachment portion 9 which les the open end of the cylindrical bag without substantially occluding the open portion. The spring 5 is connected to or abuts the lid 7 at one end and the annular attachment portion 9 at the other end. The lid 7 and the annular spring attachment portion 9 are rigid and made of plastics material, although other suitable rigid materials, for example, a metal such The is as stainless steel, may be used. lid 7 circular and imperforate, and of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the cylindrical bag. It is shaped so as to project into the volume of the cylindrical bag when assembled, although used. The use a planar lid or perforate lid may also be of a spring retained by the lid and annular spring attachment n permits compression of the tion chamber in the direction of the cylindrical axis of the collection chamber.

Other suitable means which serve the same function may also be used, for example, a series of springs surrounding the cylindrical bag or a series of telescopic rods. In these cases, 3O bags of shapes other than cylindrical may be used. The collection r has a locking ring attachment 11 to which annular spring attachment portion 9 can be fixed by means of a fit interaction. Other fixing means may be used, including snap complementary screw threads and rotatably engaging lugs.

The collection chamber is connectable via the locking ring attachment 11 to the filtration unit 13 to le the complete tion . This connection is necessarily substantially watertight to permit use of the device as described herein loss of fluid before filtration, with O—ring 14 which is 40 without PCT/G32014/052776 W0 20l5/036781 r filtration retained in an groove around the top of the improving the seal. The filtration unit 13 has unit a filter support platform 15. Small protrusions on the filter support platform 15 are d to engage with complementary indents in the annular attachment portion 9. It will be appreciated that other attachment means may alternatively be provided. filter support platform 15 has a ble filter The cartridge 17 with a membrane filter 19, and is connectable to a waste reservoir 21. It will be appreciated that other filter materials described herein may also be used. The waste reservoir 21 is able to a rigid cylindrical container made of plastics material odate a volume of at least 500 mL (that is, the entire volume of liquid contained in the collection chamber prior le for filtration). Other suitable rigid materials receiving fluids may be used in place of cs material. The waste reservoir 21 and the filter support platform 15 are connectable to form, in combination with the filter cartridge 17, the filtration unit 13. This connection is necessarily substantially watertight to permit use of the device as described herein without loss of fluid during filtration. In this embodiment, the waste reservoir 21 and the filter support platform 15 are connectable by a snap fit connection between a sion on the outside of waste oir 21 and an annular . In some of the filter groove on the inside support platform embodiments, the waste reservoir 21 contains a moisture absorbing material and/or a deodorant. Suitable moisture absorbing materials may include absorbent material such as paper, cotton wool or , or silica gel and/or other water-absorbent of absorbent polymers known in the art- The inclusion a moisture ease of disposal of the waste reservoir after material improves use. Suitable deodorants may include carbonates such potassium carbonate.

The exploded view shown in Figure 1 shows the ent parts of the filter support platform 15. Broadly, the filter support platform is connectable to both the connection r at open end and to the waste reservoir, and when the device fully—assembled separates the two. The filter t platform 40 has an opening 23 to allow fluid communication between PCT/GBZOI 4/052776 collection chamber and the reservoir and the filter 19 of the filter support portion, in this case, filter cartridge 17, occludes this opening such that any fluid passing from the collection chamber to the waste reservoir passes through the . The filter support platform has a slotted recess 25 filter cartridge such that the filter suitable for receiving a 17 of the filter cartridge occludes the opening as described. slotted filter cartridge may be inserted and removed from the recess in a sliding movement. in Figure 1, the filter support platform is assembled As shown from a top n 27 and a bottom portion 29, which clip of snap-fit connection between protrusions on together by means a and complementary recesses on the bottom portion. the top portion other Other connecting means may be envisaged ing snap—fit interactions and complementary screw threads. The embodiment shown in Figure 1 has two handles, 31 and 32 to tate ease of handles not use. It will be understood that are necessary, and that other handle arrangements, for example, a single handle, a continuous annular handle, or one or more D—shaped handles may be used.

The fastened together, top and bottom portions, 27 and 29, when define slot 25 suitable for receiving a filter dge 17 as described. O—ring 33 is provided to t e during use.

The filter support platform further comprises a back flow 37. The pressure relief ne 35 and a re relief valve valve is configured to activate at a certain pressure to allow liquid becomes to pass into the waste chamber should the filter 3O saturated. The backflow membrane 35 is adapted to allow air to pass from the reservoir 21 into collection chamber 1 during intermittent application of pressure to prevent the filter There is further a content ng disturbed due to turbulence. to out of small hole (not shown) in 29 that permits air escape the relief valve is an the unit entirely. In this embodiment, umbrella—type valve that opens at 10-12 kg pressure, but other suitable valves may be used.

The filter cartridge 17 has a body of a width complementary in length to 40 the width of the slot, and is sufficiently longer PCT/G32014/052776 W0 2015/036781 of the body to protrude from the slotted recess cause a portion 2) ease of removal during use (as shown in Figure to facilitate of the cartridge from the device. The filter cartridge housing 41 to improve may have one or more indentations or ations grip and aid removal. The filter 19 is housed on a ledge within opening the filter in an in cartridge housing and maintained place by a perforated over support 43 which is connected to the g by means of a snap—fit connection between sions on the perforated over support and complementary recesses in the other housing. Other connecting means may be ged including snap—fit interactions and complementary screw threads. s 48 e the seal. O—ring 47 improves the seal of 45, 47, and cartridge 17 around the filter while the assembled filter 19, 0— filter rings 45 and 48 are present on the external surface of the cartridge 17 and serve both to improve the seal when the filter cartridge 17 is housed within the filter support platform tion of the biological fluid and to improve the seal when the filter cartridge 17 is inserted into a storage unit 49 according to the present invention. storage unit the Figure 1 further shows such a 49 according to present invention. The filter cartridge 17 may be inserted into the storage unit 49 after use to facilitate ease of storage and storage. The transportation and may preserve the sample during storage unit 49 further provides a means for ease of access to for analysis the filter content (and any surrounding Liquid) without the need to remove the cartridge from the storage unit. y, as shown in Figure 1, the storage unit comprises a base for filter 51 having a recess 53 suitable receiving the 3O cartridge. This base has an opening 55 located to permit access to the filter content for analysis and processing when the filter dge is inserted. The opening is covered by a lid 57 to preserve the sample and to permit storage and transportation. In 1 the lid connects to the base by means of Figure complementary screw threads, although other connection means may be including a suitable snap-fit interaction or hinged lid. The lid chamber containing an appropriate liquid that is 57 comprises a released during ment of the lid with the base 51. For example, the lid may be an OG-250 lid from.Oragene®, developed by DNA Genotek® and containing a DNA lysis buffer. Base 51 2014/052776 a seal of the chamber in the lid sharp protrusions which break when the lid is screwed onto the base, thereby releasing the solution. Removing the lid for analysis thereby permits access the filter content but also to the contained solution not only to filter content is stored. The filter in which the cartridge 17 49 form filter, and storage unit a water tight seal around the the filter content, and any surrounding liquid that may be present. unit according to the Figure 4 shows an alternative storage invention, and the assembly thereof. The storage unit present 530 suitable for 490 ses a housing 510 having a recess receiving the filter cartridge and a first opening 550 to permit to the filter content when a filter cartridge is inserted. access The lid 570 engages with the housing by a sliding cooperation and mentary recesses on n protrusions on the housing a stop the lid, and is retained in place by abutment t retaining clip. The storage unit also has a plate and by a that engages with the housing in a manner ous to bottom 571 at a :hat of the lid. A piston 600 is retained within the recess 602 at the point beyond the first opening and defines a r distal from the recess opening. The housing has end of the recess into this chamber. The chamber 602 is a second opening 603 le for receiving a fluid, for e, and not by way of and preservation limitation, a buffer for lysis of cells of and/or proteins, a fixative/preservative to prepare nucleic acids cells with the retention of the characteristic logy (for cell cytological examination), a culture medium to sustain growth or an isotonic buffer suitable for the storage of biological 3O material, or an appropriate buffer for the elution of biological material from the filter- Accordingly, some suitable fluid embodiments, the storage unit is provided with a of this type contained within the chamber. It will be ance appreciated that the fluid may be selected in with the the analysis nature of the sample to be stored and subsequent required.

The piston 600 is retained within the recess but application pressure, for example, by insertion of a filter cartridge, the reducing the 40 able to push the piston further into recess, PCT/G82014I052776 into the and fluid therein size of the chamber forcing the of the and into contact with the filter and remainder recess, unit 490 filter content. The filter cartridge 17 and storage filter, the filter content, form a water tight seal around the It will be and any surrounding liquid that may be present. filter cartridge and storage unit appreciated that varying the of suitable O—rings in ions and the provision and location will be to the order to achieve said water—tight seal apparent Assembly... and Use Assemblies of the invention may be provided a kit directly to the user, who can then: collection chamber; le provide a sample into the the device as described herein; described herein; filter the sample using the device as remove the cartridge; the filter portion into a storage unit as described insert appropriate care giver or to an herein for transportation to appropriate medical centre or g facility. to the present It is an advantage that assemblies according home, , invention may be used in the with samples facilitate storage and/or optionally in a solution selected to to a relevant is of the captured material, and transported centre or testing care giver or to an riate medical according to facility. Use of a storage unit the present filters according to ion s samples captured on methods of the present invention to be sent hygienically and services. efficiently using, for example, regular national mail example, Patients thought to be at risk of developing, for in remission from bladder bladder cancers, or those ts to undergo cystoscopy cancer at present often have regular frequent hospital visits which may investigations, necessitating investigations are often be inconvenient. Cystoscopy complications. They are uncomfortable and may carry a risk of The provision of a also expensive for the care provider. and processing samples at suitable device or kit for obtaining home which may be analysed without requiring the participation to patient 40 the t represents a significant improvement PCT/GBZDI4/052776 WO 2015103678] ing. the present invention, a kit Accordingly, in of some embodiments a collection chamber as described herein is ed comprising filtration unit as described herein, and, optionally, and a instructions for using the assembly in a method as the filtration unit is ed herein. In some embodiments, then provided, example, through for fully assembled. A sample is chamber. The filtration normal urination, into the collection the collection r. The user then unit is then fastened to 10 is now flips the assembled device so that the collection chamber device, as shown in Figure 3, and down at the top of the upside to the liquid through the force then es manual pressure or more one filter into the waste reservoir. The provision of allows pressure to equalise valves and/or backflow membranes flow of the fluid through the the within the device. During example cells, is for ed onto filter, biological material, of material captured may be the filter. The quantity and type (such as, filters varied through the use of of different types filters or beads) or with and not by way of limitation, membrane of limitation, different properties (such as, and not by way the filter varying pore size or coatings). After filtration, is removed and the remainder of dge with the filter content in which the filter the device may be discarded. In embodiments the user simply or , cartridge is retained within a slot of the device. filter dge out of the remainder pulls the comprise storage unit as of the invention may further Kits The user then inserts the filter cartridge described herein.

Figure 4 for in, for example, into the shown storage unit as In some ments, convenient storage and transport. 51, (denoted 57 and storage unit is provided as a lid and a base embodiments, the filter in Figure 1). In these respectively, the base 51. Lid 57 then into cartridge is first inserted the base the causing added, with the engagement of the lid with the lid to break, containing solution within seal to a chamber filter thereby releasing the solution into contact with the content. as a single embodiments, the storage unit is provided In some This comprises 40 unit (denoted 490 in Figure 4). storage unit piston retained within the recess at a point beyond the first and defining a chamber at the end of the recess distal opening from the recess opening. The base of the storage unit has a second opening into this chamber. The chamber contains a solution, for example, and not by way of limitation, a buffer for lysis of cells and preservation of nucleic acids, a fixative/preservative to prepare cells with the retention of the characteristic logy (for cytological examination), or a e medium to sustain cell growth. Inserting the filter cartridge into the recess of the storage unit pushes the piston further into the chamber recess, reducing the size of the g the liquid therein around the piston and into contact with the filter content where it may be retained during storage and transport.

The combined filter cartridge and storage unit may then be conveniently and hygienically transported to a g/ ing centre. Access to the filter facility or appropriate medical is facilitated by removal of the lid (denoted 57 or 570 content reveal the relevant in Figure l or Figure 4, respectively) to opening in the storage unit housing. Filter content, for methods known in the art and example, DNA, may be analysed using with the presence or absence of certain methods bed herein, known s used to provide a diagnosis.

Alternatively, the assembly may be provided as a kit comprising a waste reservoir and filter support base that have not yet been fastened together. In these ments, the use: must first filter assemble the filtration unit. It will be appreciated that cartridges and storage units, optionally comprising a solution housed within a chamber as described herein, may be provided separately to the remainder of the ly as these may be selected specifically with regard to the intended ation. fiuitable Filters The t invention is based on the inventors' insight that devices comprising certain suitable filters may be utilised for capturing material from biological fluids for efficient analysis, for use in the diagnosis and monitoring of relevant conditions 40 and diseases. 2014/052776 In some embodiments the assemblies and methods of the present invention may be used to capture cells from biological fluids.

Previous studies have shown that it is possible to capture and separate cells from fluids using mechanical filtering (Wilding et al., 1998; Mohamed et al., 2004; Zheng et al., 2007; Lin et al., 2010). However, none of these methods provides the convenience and efficacy associated with the lies and s of the present invention, that is, the provision of an assembly for the inexpensive and easy collection and processing of a sample which may be used by the t or another caregiver to provide a sample of captured cells suitable for g and sending through the post to a testing facility or appropriate medical centre.

Any filter material having the ary character to capture material of interest may be used in assemblies and methods of the present invention. It will be appreciated that assemblies and s of the present invention may be used for the ing of different types of biological material from various biological fluids, for the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of a variety of diseases and conditions. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the filter may be selected from filter media known in the art to have certain desirable characteristics, and in some cases it may be desirable to provide multiple filters in series. Where multiple filters are used, each filter may be identical to, or have different characteristics to, any other filter in the assembly.

For example, the capturing of cells of different sizes and 3O different types may be achieved by use of a filter, or use of multiple filters, configured to exclude certain sizes or forms of cells, most likely by selection of filter pore size and or/ pore arrangement. In some embodiments, it may be ble to provide two or more filters in series, wherein a first filter captures large (e.g. human) cells and a second filter with smaller pores es smaller cells (e.g. ial cells). Size exclusion may be achieved by use of particular pore or other aperture size, or by use of a particular pore form. 40 Filters may also be used that are made from.materials, or have PCT/(5320141052776 coatings, designed specifically to capture certain materials, for example, macromolecules such as proteins, DNA, RNA and metabolites.

The following examples of filter characteristics that may be suitable for use in some embodiments of the t invention are provided by way of illustration and are not intended to limit the ion to any particular filter type. These and other suitable filters are known in the art, and may be commercially available.

For capturing bacterial cells, a pore size of about 0.5 um to 4 um may be preferred. For capturing viral particles, viruses or bacteriophages a pore size of about 20 nm to 300 nm, more preferably of about 20 nm to about 50 nm may be used. For capturing blood components without platelets, a pore size of about 4 pm to 10 um may be preferred. For capturing blood components without red blood cells, a pore size of about 7 um to 12 um may be preferred. For capturing tumour cells, a pore size of about 8 um to 20 um may be preferred, with about 8 um to 12 um being especially preferred, about 8 um most preferred. For the ing of macromolecules, ultrafiltration membrane filters with a ic molecular weight cut off limit (for example, but not by way of limitation, 50 kDa) selected to e the macromolecules of interest may be used. Alternatively a capture agent, such as an antibody specific to a protein of interest or nucleic acid with a sequence that is complementary to that of interest, may be adhered to filter media (for example, but not by way of limitation, membrane filters, such as those made of nylon, 3O nylidene difluoride or nitrocellulose, or chromatographic media such as sepharose or magnetic beads) allowing the macromolecule of interest to be captured during filtration. The filter may be made of a suitable polymer al such as polycarbonate, nylon, or parylene, or a suitable non-polymer material such as silicone, as appropriate.

For some applications, membrane filters may be preferred, for example, in the capturing of cells from, for example, urine. The ne filter may be a polycarbonate membrane, preferably a 40 rbonate hydrophilic membrane, for example, a track—etched WO 36781 polycarbonate hydrophilic membrane. The filter may have a pore size of about 5—10 um, ably about 8 um. Preferred membrane s may e micromembrane filters such as commercially available polycarbonate filters, for e, Whatman Nuclepore Ln track—etched polycarbonate hydrophilic filters, ter 25 mm, pore size 8 um). §uitable Solutions In some embodiments the storage unit contains a solution selected to facilitate storage and/or analysis of the ical material.

The solution may be, for example, a buffer suitable for inducing cell lysis to permit analysis of nucleic acids or proteins released from the cell, a fixative/preservative to prepare cells with the retention of the characteristic morphology, a culture medium to sustain cell growth, an isotonic buffer suitable for storage of biological material, for example, phosphate buffered saline solution, or an appropriate buffer for the elution of the biological material from the filter. It will be appreciated that the solution will preferably be selected to correspond to the ical material 2O to be captured and the analysis to be performed.

In some embodiments, assemblies of the invention could be used for the collection of exfoliated tumour cells from urine with the aim of analysing alterations in their DNA. For example, this may be using a polycarbonate membrane filter with a pore size of 8 um to capture the tumour cells, then inserting the filter cartridge into the Storage unit, and, optionally, releasing a cell-lysis and nucleic acid—preserving solution such as those commercially available from Qiagen or DNA Genotek [for example, as described in W02003104251 A9] onto the filter content.

If the aim were to e the level of a particular protein within the tumour cells, the solution released onto the filter content may, for example, be a cell~lysis and protein—preserving solution such as RIPA buffer (commercially available from Millipore) or cell extraction buffer (commercially ble from ogen).

If the aim were to analyse the cells by cytology. the solution 40 released onto the filter t may, for example, be a 2014/052776 preservative buffer, for example one commercially available from Hologic (Preseeryt on, containing methanol) or a cellular growth medium, for example DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS, 1% L- glutamine, 100 U/ml llin and 100 ug/ml streptomycin.

In some embodiments and methods, assembles of the invention may be used for the collection of a particular cell—free protein from urine, for example, by using filter composed of n A/G coated ose beads to which an antibody which binds to the protein of interest has been attached, the filter cartridge then being placed into the storage unit and, optionally, an isotonic buffer such as phosphate ed saline being released onto the filter content.

Uses of the Present Invention in Medical Detection, Diagnosis and Monitoring Assemblies and methods for the collection of biological material from biological fluids, and the subsequent storage and optional processing of said biological material, as described herein, are of particular relevance for the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of diseases and ions.

Whilst preferred embodiments are directed to the tion of cells from urine samples for the detection of genitourinary cancers, in particular, bladder , it will be appreciated that through selection of an appropriate filter, device size, and, if present, fluid contained within a chamber in the storage unit, assemblies and methods as described herein may find utility in the ion, diagnosis and monitoring of a variety of 3O diseases and conditions. For example, detection of hypermethylation of genes such as GSTPl, VHL, APC RASSFIA, Timp~3 in tumour cells from urine sediments is found in prostate and renal cancers (Cairns et al Nature Reviews Cancer 2007; 7:531— 543). Also detection of changes in mitochondrial DNA may be useful in the early detection of cancers, ring of disease progression and se to y, and exfoliated tumour cells present in bodily fluid would be one source of mitochondrial DNA (Gabriel Dakubo Chapter ll Mitochondrial DNA measurement in Exfoliated Cells for Cancer Detection and Monitoring: The copy 40 Number Advantage in Mitochondrial Genetics and Cancer 2010 pp 4 ISBN: 978e3—642—ll4lS-1 (Print) 978—3—642—11416-8 (Online)). Detection of elevated levels of MCMS in urine sediments may be used to predict bladder cancer (Stober et al J Natl Cancer Inst 2002; 94:1071-9). rmore, RNA isolated from urine sediments has been analysed for diagnosis of acute ion in kidney transplants, ng potential for the replacement of renal biopsies (Suthanthiran et al N. Engl. J.

Med. 2013; 369:20—31).

Assemblies and methods of the invention may be used to capture free macromolecules (e.g. proteins, DNA, RNA or metabolites) in urine or other fluids. For example ovarian cancer patients have been shown to have altered levels of Glycosylated eosinophil- derived neurotoxin, COOH—terminal ontin fragments and the B—subunit core fragment of human chorionic gonadotrophin, SMRP and Bcl—Z in their urine(Das and Bast Biomark Med. 2008; 2(3): 291-303). Detection of the SlOOA6 and SlOOAQ proteins in urine may have utility in the detection of upper GI tract cancers (Husi et al Proteomics Clin Appl. 2011; 5(5-6):289—99), whilst detection of the SAA4 and ProEGF proteins in urine may have utility in the detection of bladder cancer (Chen et al Journal of mics 2013, 85: 28—43).

The assemblies and methods described herein may also be used for the collection and filtration of other ical fluids, such as saliva, sputum and blood, and bodily fluids obtained using more invasive methods such as, for example, pleural effusions, lavage fluid (for example ,, bronchoalveolar) and sera for the analysis of captured material including via detection of genomic alterations associated with certain diseases and disorders including cancers such as lung and breast cancer (Belinsky et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 95: 11891—11896, 1998; Ahrendt et al J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 9l: 9, 1999; Evron et a1 Lancet, —l336, 200l).

Filtration and concentration of blood may also be used in the isolation and analysis of circulating tumour cells (CTCs).

Isolation and characterization of CTCs is a technical challenge as they make up only a small fraction of the total cells t 40 in the blood. However, since CTCs reflect molecular features of W0 2015/036781 cells within the tumour mass, they offer a potential way to diagnose or monitor progression/response of a patient in a relatively non—invasive way. CTCs have been identified in cancers such as in breast, prostate, lung, ovarian and colon cancer patients, where they have been shown to provide predictive and prognostic ation. CTCs have also been identified in pancreatic patients, although no pivotal study using CTCS to guide clinical treatment has been undertaken (Cen et al Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 2012; l826:350*356). The capture of circulating tumour cells from blood of patients with te, Colorectal and breast cancer has been shown to be possible using a filtration method to take age of the increased size of tumour cells as compared to normal cells. Through riate filter ion, assemblies and methods described herein may also be applied to the capture and analysis of circulating cell— free DNA (cf—DNA).

Accordingly, s described herein may e the step of testing for markers known to be associated with a particular disease or ion. Said markers may be genetic markers, genomic alterations, the presence of or elevated/decreased levels of proteins (for example, dies), the presence of or elevated/decreased levels of bacteria or yeast, both as bed herein and as documented in the art.

In some methods described herein, the marker may be a marker known to be associated with cancer. The cancer may be urinary, or gynecological cancer, for example, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, renal cancer, urethral cancer, al cancer, 3O urothelial cancer, urachal cancer, endometrial cancer, or ovarian cancer. The cancer may be a cancer associated with other organs, for example, liver cancer, melanoma, colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, or a cancer of the upper GI tract. The cancer may be a metastatic cancer. Markers associated with these and other cancers are known in the art. In some preferred embodiments, the marker is associated with a genitourinary cancer, preferably, bladder, prostate, or renal cancer. In some preferred embodiments, the marker is associated with bladder cancer, more preferably non— 40 muscle invasive bladder cancer.

In some embodiments, the marker is associated with a condition other than . For example, the marker may be associated with acute rejection in kidney transplants, which has the advantage of ially obviating the need for invasive renal es, or markers associated with bacterial and/or yeast infections, for example urinary tract infections such as cystitis and pyelonephritis.

It will also be appreciated that in some methods of the invention, the marker may not in itself be ated with a disease or condition but may instead be a genetic marker ated with an individual or particular parentage, for example, for use in forensic and paternity testing.

Analysis of Samples It will be appreciated that the method used to analyze the filter content, and if present, the solution in which the filter having filter content has been stored, will depend upon the nature of the biological material and the e of the analysis. Methods for processing the material and/or solution and for detecting markers of interest are described herein and are known in the art.

Assemblies and methods described herein may be used in ction with UCyt+® and Urovysion® kits. A problem with these s is the transportation of urine as well as the low number of cells and the low fraction of tumor cells in these samples. Proper preservation, cell isolation and increasing the fraction of tumor cells as ed by the assemblies and methods described herein may improve the use. In a recent study comparing FISH analysis (UroVysion) to cytology and cystoscopy as a follow—up method, Galvan et al (Cancer thol 2011; 119:395e403) noted that around 10% of samples could not be analysed due to too few urothelial cells in the sample or other technical reasons. Filtering with track—etched commercial s has previously been used in oonjuction with FISH analysis and improved the sensitivity of detection in the study compared to other studies done with conventional preparation methods 40 {Meiers et al, Arch Pathol Lab Med 2007; 13121574-1577). Meiers et al used a filter with 8 pm pore size and found that it had an excellent yield for epithelial cell collection. The authors suggest that the increased sensitivity is partly due to the monolayer cell preparation created by filtering. However the present inventors e that this may be attributed at least in part to the effect of increased tumor cell fraction in the . Meiers et al noted an adequacy rate of 95% with the filtering method compared to 85% by conventional methods, showing that robustness for FISH analysis is also improved by filtering, and may therefore be ed by use of assemblies and methods provided herein. ular Advantages of the Present Invention A key ation of the invention is the diagnosis and surveillance of bladder cancer. The present invention was developed to provide a simple means for capturing bladder tumour cells from urine and storing/preserving DNA from these cells for later is. Important advantages include: 1) The cost of the assembly is low; 2) The assembly is simple to use, making it suitable for home use; 3) ate processing of the biological material after filtration through use of a storage unit containing a suitable solution to preserve and/or treat sample prior to analysis; 4) The on of tumour cells may be increased by size—based filtration, increasing the sensitivity of detection; ) The filter content (e.g. captured cells) can be shipped by r mail to an appropriate medical centre or testing facility, reducing the need for contact with the health care 3O system; 6) Frequent and repeated sampling is unproblematic; and 7) Compared with copy, the use of the device for diagnosis and surveillance of bladder cancer will improve the quality of life for patients and dramatically decrease health care expenditure.

PCT/G32014/052776 Ex les The following examples are set forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to practise the ion, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Capture of cells on micromembrane filters The following demonstrates the utility of membrane filters for the capturing of cells from urine for analysis.

Collection of samples Voided morning urine samples were collected from bladder cancer patients ed for cystoscopy and transurethral resectioning (TURBT) at Herlev al, Denmark and from healthy eers without known urological malignancies. Samples were sent to the Danish Cancer Research Center where they were processed within 4- 6 hours after collection.

Processing of urine samples For all patients and controls, 50 ml from each urine sample was sedimented by centrifugation, 2000 x g for 10 min, the pellet was washed in PBS followed by another 10 min centrifugation. The supernatant was discarded and the pellet was resuspended in approximately 200 pl of PBS. In parallel, urine from the same sample was drawn into a disposable syringe and passed by positive force through a membrane filter mounted in a filter holder.

Whatman Nuclepore track-etched polycarbonate hydrophilic filters were used, (diameter 25 mm, pore size 8 um) and the corresponding filter holders. The sample was passed through the filter until 3O saturation, with a maximum of 125 ml. The filter was rinsed with PBS before removal from the filter holder. Both urine sediment and the filter were stored at —80 °C until r processing.

For g the functionality of the e unit, the filter cartridge was transferred to the storage cassette, which was then mounted with the lid from an Oragene DNA ollection Kit (disk format OG—250, DNA Genotek, Ottowa, Ontario, Canada).

DNA isolation and bisulfite conversion DNA was isolated from urine sediment and filter by QiaAmp DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen GmbH, Hilden, Germany). Filter samples and urine sediments were ted with ATL buffer and proteinase K at 56 °C for at least 1 hour (filter) or overnight (sediments). uent processing was done according to manufacturer’s instructions. DNA from filters and nts were eluted in 50 ul and 100 pl of buffer AE, respectively, and stored at —80 °C. DNA concentration was measured using a NanoDrop 1000 spectrometer.

The samples from 16 patients and 9 healthy controls did not contain sufficient DNA for analysis and were discarded.

Bisulfite conversion was done using the EZ DNA Methylation-Gold Kit (Zymo Research) according to the manufacturer’s ol.

The ite—treated DNA was eluted in 20 ul of M-Elution Buffer and stored at —80°C. For paired samples (sediment and filter sample) the same amount of DNA was used, with a maximum of 500 ng. In cases where the DNA concentration was too low to be accurately determined using the NanoDrop spectrometer, the maximum sample volume (20 ul) was used for ite treatment.

Semi—quantitative analysis of the promoter CpG islands of BCL2, UNA], EOMES, HOXA9, POU4F2, SALL3 and VIM2 was performed using TaqMan—based real—time PCR (MethyLight) assays, using previously described primers, probes and conditions [12]. Reactions were performed on the LightCycler 480 platform using the LightCycler 480 Probes Master Kit (Roche, Mannheim, Germany) and 1 pl of bisulfite—treated DNA per reaction. In vitro methylated DNA (IVM; CpGenomeTM Universal Methylated DNA, on/Millipore, Billerica, MA) and whole—genome amplified DNA served as positive 3O and ve controls for methylation, respectively. Methylation levels were ated as percent methylated reference (PMR; Ref.

[Weisenberger DJ, Campan M, Long TI, Kim M, Woods C et al. (2005). Nucleic Acids Res 33: 6823—6836]) by normalizing marker— specific on values to ALUC4 values relative to the same values for fully methylated control (IVM). Samples with a concentration below the lent of 0.25 ng/ul non bisulfite— treated DNA were excluded. Cut—off PMR values for HOXA9, POU4F2, SALL3 and VIM? were 3, 2, 0.5 and 2, respectively. BCL2, CCNAl and EOMES showed no background ation in DNA isolated from 40 urine filter and sediment samples from healthy controls.

PCT/G32014/052776 Real—time tative Methylation—specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (MethyLight) Methylation analysis was performed using MethyLight, a quantitative fluorescence—based, real-time PCR assay (Eads et al., 2000, Nucleic Acids Res. 28, E32). Primers and probes were designed for 7 gene promoter CpG islands and for ALUC4, which was used to control for the amount of input DNA (Weisenberger et al., 2005, Nucleic Acids Res. 33, 6823-6836). Bisulfite—converted, in vitro—methylated DNA (IVM; CpGenomeTM Universal Methylated DNA, Chemicon) was analyzed to normalize for any amplification bias between a target gene and ALUC4. Reactions were performed on the Roche LightCycler® 480 Real-time PCR system using the Lightcycler® 480 Probes Master Kit (Roche).

Cell culture and model system The human ureter transitional cell carcinoma cell line 639V was purchased from DSMZ (Braunschweig, Germany). Cells were maintained in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum at 37°C in a humidified incubator with 5% C02. cytes from a healthy donor were ed from peripheral blood according to a previously described protocol er B, Roder C, Dieckmann D, Heuer M, Kruse M et al. (1999) J Immunol Methods 223: 1—15] and stored at -80°C until use. Cells in suspension were counted and their diameter was measured using a ss Automated Cell Counter (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA).

Lymphocytes and 639V cells were mixed in different ratios in 100 ml of PBS and processed using the filtration device. 3O Mutation is Detection and quantification of PGFR3 mutations (R248C, 3249C, G37OC and Y373C) and corresponding wildtype sequences were performed by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), using the QXZOO system (Bio—Rad Laboratories, es, CA) and hydrolysis probe—based assays (PrimePCR ddPCR Mutation Detection Assays; d). The PCR mixture contained ll ul of ddPCR droplet supermix for probes (no dUTPs), l.l ul of on primer/probe mix (FAM), l.l ul of wildtype primer/probe mix (HEX) and 2 ul of DNA in a final volume of 22 uL. Twenty microliters of this mixture and 70 ul of droplet 40 generation oil were transferred to different wells of a droplet W0 2015/036781 generation cartridge. After formation of droplets using the droplet generator, samples were transferred to a 96—well PCR and subjected to amplification for 40 cycles at 94°C plate for 30 sec. and 55°C for 60 sec. Droplets (on average ~16,000 per reaction) were analyzed on the t reader, and soft software (version 1.4.0.99) was used for analyzing DNA trations. Cutoff settings were determined using mutation— positive and —negative control DNA samples.

The inventors first used cultured cells to test 1) if it was possible to capture cells on a commercial micromembrane filter and 2) if undant bladder tumour cells could be enriched.

Purified, cultured human lymphocytes diluted in PBS were spiked with 0.5% bladder cancer cells (the human cell line T24). Half of the volume of the cell mixture was sedimented by centrifugation, and the remaining half was passed h a filter. The flowthrough from the filter was also collected and sedimented by centrifugation. DNA was ed from the unfiltered, filter and flowthrough samples and analysed for the HRAS 612V mutation previously established to be present in the cell line T24. PCR in combination with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis [DGGE) was used to resolve mutant and wildtype HRAS. As shown in Figure 5, the filtered sample was clearly positive for the ERAS 612V mutation, whereas the unfiltered and rough s were ve (DGGE has a detection level at around 2-3% d allele on a wild-type background). These results show that tumour cells are retained on the filter but also indicate that the fraction of tumour cells is increased in the filter compared to the unfiltered sample.

The same DNA samples were also analyzed for DNA methylation levels in the promoter region of BCL2, which is fully methylated in T24 cells and unmethylated in normal lymphocytes. As shown in Figure 6, the unfiltered and rough samples showed an level of 3—4%, similar to the level in normal average methylation lymphocytes. In contrast, the filter sample shows an average methylation level of 13%. This analysis confirmed that the fraction of tumour cells is increased in the filter. 40 Next, urine samples from 204 bladder tumour patients and 29 y controls were examined in a split—sample design: For all patients and controls, urine samples were subjected in parallel to ntation (50 ml) and filtration (until tion of filter or max. 125 ml). DNA was isolated, treated with sodium bisulfite and tested for 7 methylation markers (CCNAl, BCL2, EOMES, POU4EQ, SALL3, HOXA9 and VIM?) using real-time MethyLight assays. All of these s have been reported in literature to be aberrantly hypermethylated in bladder cancer. A cut—off value for background methylation was established by analysis of samples from 10 of the healthy controls. Figure 7 gives an example of parallel analysis of filtered and nted components of the same urine sample from a bladder tumour patient.

Overall, the sensitivity was 81% when urine sediments from the 204 bladder tumour patients were analyzed for the seven DNA ation markers, while it was 87% for the corresponding filter s (Table 1). Of note, for low—grade Ta tumours that are difficult to detect on the basis of urine analysis, the sensitivity increased from 75% in sediments to 84% in filter samples.

Pathology Sediment Low grade 74/98 (75%) Ta/dysplasia High grade Ta 24/31 (77 ) Tl 27/30 (90%) 28/30 (93%) >T2 17/19 (89%) 18/19 (95%) CIS 24/26 (92%) 25/26 (96%) Total 166/204 (81%) 178/204 (87%) Table 1. Sensitivity of seven DNA methylation markers in filtered and sedimented urine samples from bladder tumour ts (N=204).

In the majority of samples analysed, the fraction of tumour DNA was larger in the filter than in the corresponding sediment Some of these results were confirmed by pyrosequencing (Figure The majority of the 26 tumours that were negative for all seven markers were NMIBC, ing one carcinoma in situ (CIS), 22 Ta tumours, and two Tl s. Among the 19 controls, three were positive (two in both filter and sediment; one in filter only).

One of these had been misclassified and had a bladder tumour.

The second had prior problems with the bladder, and subsequent U" cystoscopy showed the presence of a lastic lesion. The third was ve on cystoscopy.

In conclusion, the present inventors have shown that using micromembrane s (for examples, commercial polycarbonate membrane filters), it is le to capture cells from urine samples and e DNA for subsequent methylation analysis.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the present invention relates to a method of passing a biological fluid sample, such as a urine sample, through a micromembrane filter. In general, the fraction of tumour DNA was larger in the filter than in the corresponding nt. For 87% of the bladder tumour patients, the filter sample was positive for tumour-specific DNA methylation markers.

The corresponding urine sediments were positive in 81% of the cases .

Capture of cells using a device according to the t ion and subsequent is As described above, the inventors have shown that cells in urine samples can be captured on micromembrane filters using a syringe and a commercial filter holder. The following non—limiting example details use of a collection and filtration device comprising such a membrane according the present invention. A technical drawing of the collection and filtration device used is shown in Figure 1 (described above).

Morning urine samples were collected from 30 patients admitted for bladder cystoscopy at Herlev Hospital. The samples were processed within 3-6 hours at the Danish Cancer Research Center.

The sample volume varied n 150 and 400 ml, average 240 ml (Table 2). The filtration devices were mounted with an 8 pm pore size, track-etched polycarbonate filter (Whatman). After filtration, the filters were removed from the filtration device and stored at —80 °C until further processing.

DNA was isolated from the filters as described in above. DNA was eluted in 50 ul of AE buffer and stored at —80°C. Bisulfite conversion of DNA was performed as described above. The DNA concentration was determined by tative PCR analysis of GAPDH. The methylation status of seven methylation markers (CCNAl, BCLZ, HOMES, POU4F2, SALL3, HOXA9 and VIMZ) was determined using MethyLight assays, as described above. The average DNA yield for the 30 urine s was 242 ng (range 6 to 1,000 mg; Table 2).

Patient ID Pathology Processed DNA yield 1 volume (n9) (m1) 1 T2, high grade 250 661 2 Ta, low grade 150 16* 3 Inflammation 300 1060 4 Ta, low grade 250 321 *5 Normal bladder 450 121 6 Normal bladder 300 10.1* Glandular 7 300 331 metaplasia/normal _Ta,low grade 250 388 Ta, low grade 202 Ta, low grade 160 Ta, low grade 350 23 Ta, high grade 6. 3* Normal bladder 150 397 14 Normal bladder 450 26.4 ‘Inflammation 300 700 16 Ta, high grade 72 17 ‘Ta, high grade 300 520 18 ”Ta, low grade 150 517 Ta, low grade 150 737777—_____ 150 45.2 22 Ta, low grade 450 145 23 N.A ; 150 181 24 Ta, high grade 150 —’3—03—_ 1 and Tis 200 12.9* W0 2015/036781 PCT/GBZOI 4/052776 T2, high grade Ta, low grade r250 Ta, low grade 150 Inflammation 300 Average ‘240 242 Table 2. DNA yield from 30 urine samples, sed using the urine filtration device. The DNA concentration was determined by qPCR (* estimated figure, measure out of range).

Of the 30 cases included in this analysis, 20 were diagnosed with a bladder tumour upon cystoscopy (Table 2). For two of these tumour cases, the DNA yield was too low for methylation analysis.

The 18 remaining samples were tested for the seven bladder cancer—associated ation s (Table 3). Sixteen of these samples were positive for one or more markers, corresponding to a diagnostic sensitivity of 89%.

This figure is encouraging as the majority of the patients in this cohort presented with small asive tumors, which are notoriously difficult to detect in urine.

PCT/GB20141052776 a m .u 33 g m c 0 «4 u a) n. u a 0 +4 a-I .34 H u m H o as o m o D: D: S ta 1 6/7 positive —*4 2/7 Positive 9 — + + + - — — 3/7 Positive + —_ + + + + + 6/7 [ Positive 11 _ _ _ — I — - + 71/7 Positive 12 + + + + + + + 7/7 Positive 16 _ + _ _ —- — - 1 1/7 Positive _____ v 3, 17 _ + _ + — - + 3/7 Positive + + — + — + + 5/7 Positive 4 l 21 + + — I + + + + 6/7 ve m-—‘ + ‘ ‘ ‘ 2” mm” + + — — + 5/7 ive Total 16/18 positive (89%) Table 3. MethyLight analysis of seven DNA methylation markers in urine DNA from 18 bladder tumour ts. The pathology of these cases is indicated in Table 2.

Evaluation of device performance As a model system to evaluate the ability of the device to capture and ate tumor cells from fluid samples, the inventors used 639V bladder cancer cells, which have a point mutation (p.R248C; c.742C>T) in the gene encoding fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFFB) with loss of the corresponding wildtype allele. In the first set of experiments, 100 ml of PBS 2014/052776 containing between 103and 5 x 105 639V cells was added to the collection chamber of the device and forced through a polycarbonate ne filter with a pore size of 8 pm. To quantify the number of 639V cells captured on the filter, total DNA was extracted and ined the number of mutant FCfR3 molecules using a t digital PCR (ddPCR) assay. In this setting, one positive event is equivalent to one cell. Positive s were reproducibly obtained for all samples when 2 pl (4%) of the extracted DNA was used as template for ddPCR (Figure 9A).

Notably, for the lowest concentration of cells (103 in 100 mL}, the average number of signals obtained per 2 ul—sample reaction was 28, equivalent to an overall recovery of ~70% of the input cells (Figure SE).

The 30% loss of input material may at least in part be ascribed to an expected loss of DNA during extraction. At higher concentrations of cells, there was a decrease in recovery rate, down to ~5% at 5 x 106 cells/100 ml. This lower ry was expected as saturation of the filter will cause release of the 2O pressure valve and a direct flow of the remaining fluid and its cellular content into the waste oir. This initial testing suggested that the filtration device can be used to effectively capture bladder cancer cells from a fluid, and that the recovery rate is particularly high at low concentrations of cells where the ty of the filter has not yet been reached.

To test the ability of the filtration device to enrich for bladder cancer cells present at low abundance in a background of normal cells, the inventors spiked between 103and 5 x 105 639V 3O bladder cancer cells into 100 ml of PBS containing 107 normal purified cultured human lymphocytes ter 7—8 um) and sed the suspension using the filtration device. Analysis of DNA extracted from filters by ddPCR showed signals for both mutant ) and wildtype EGER3 (Figure 10A). Vertical lines represent manually set cutoff settings. DNA was extracted from the filters and tested for mutant FGFRB (R248C) molecules using ddPCR. DNA from normal peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was used as a control for wildtype FGFR. The results shown are from one of two independent experiments. Most important, the recovery 40 rate of mutant DNA was similar to that achieved with pure solutions of 639V bladder cancer cells (Figure 103). Although the processing of samples by filtration eliminated the majority of blood lymphocytes (>99%), there was a consistent background of pe FGFR3 alleles (Figure 10A,B). These background cells may represent residual monocytes, which are larger than the pore diameter of the filter, and thrombocytes, which are smaller but tend to form aggregates and ore may also be captured on the filter.

This demonstrates that the device is capable of isolating low nt tumour cells, and therefore may therefore be useful for diagnosing smaller less aggressive tumours earlier. The size and stage of the tumour is ly reflected by the number of cells expected in a urine . The smaller less aggressive tumours would not shed as many cells into the urine as a more established tumour and therefore could potentially be missed on standard diagnostic techniques. This also demonstrates that DNA can be isolated from tumour cells spiked into PBS containing normal peripheral blood lymphocytes, g that the device can isolate tumour cells from normal blood cells. ion of bladder cancer in urine specimens Having trated that cultured bladder cancer cells spiked into purified cytes can be captured and enriched using the filtration device, the ors next tested the same approach on urine samples from patients with bladder tumors. In order to test whether filtration could increase the sensitivity over conventional sediment is by increasing the ratio of normals to-tumor cells, they first tested 13 urine samples in a split— 3O sample setup, where one part of each sample was processed by filtration and the remainder was sedimented by centrifugation.

DNA isolated from all filter and nt samples were screened for four common FGFRB mutations (R248C, 3249C, G37OC and Y373C) using ddPCR. Eight of the samples (58%) were positive for one of these mutations (Table 4). Quantitative analysis showed that the ratio of mutant—to—wildtype DNA was higher in the filtered samples than in the corresponding sediments (Table 4). Most important, the greatest enrichments (6.5 and 8.0 times, respectively) were achieved for the two samples representing the 40 lowest mutant—to—wildtype ratios (Figure 11).

WO 36781 Mut/WT 1 SE Patient FGFRS Device/ ID mutation Device Sediment nt 106 8249C 0.848 r 0.047 0.812 t 0.014 1.05 107 S249C 0.729 t 0.015 0.396 r 0.004 1.84 110 Y373C 0.182 t 0.001 0.096 i 0.003 1.89 119 Y373C 0.008 i 0.002 0.001 r 0.000 7.92 120 5249C 0.041 t 0.002 0.034 r 0.002 1.19 121 8249C 0.006 i 0.001 0.001 t 0.000 6.47 126 SZ49C 0.022 i 0.005 0.020 r 0.004 1.09 127 Y373C 0.011 i 0.001 0.004 r 0.000 2.82 Table 4. Fractions of mutant (Mut) and wildtype (WT) FGFR3 in urinary cells collected by device tion or sedimentation.

Simmfllff Cells shed into the urine provide a convenient source for noninvasive detection of bladder . Collection of cells and downstream testing by cytology or analysis of tumor—specific markers may offer an alternative or adjunct to cystoscopy in bladder cancer diagnosis and surveillance. However, the practical use of urine—based tests is often limited by inconvenience of sample handling, difficulties in analyzing large sample volumes, the need for rapid sample processing to avoid degradation of Lhe cellular t, and icient analytical sensitivity due to a low ratio of tumorsto—normal cells. Described herein is a tion device, designed for home or point—of—care use, which enables collection, enrichment and immediate preservation or treatment of tumor cells from urine. In spiking experiments, the use of this device in combination with droplet digital PCR for DNA-biomarker quantification provided efficient recovery of bladder cancer cells with elimination of >99% of excess cytes. The performance of the device was further evaluated by DNA—based analysis of cells collected from urine from patients with bladder cancer, including some with low—grade Ta . The ratio of tumor—to—normal DNA was higher in filtered samples compared with the same samples processed by sedimentation and showed high sensitivity. The ability to easily collect, process W0 2015/036781 and ship diagnostic cells from urine may broaden the use of noninvasive tests for detection and follow—up of bladder .

References: (D All publications, patent and patent applications cited herein or filed with this application, including references filed as part of an ation Disclosure Statement are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims (29)

1. A biological fluid filtration assembly comprising a filtration device for filtering a biological fluid sample, and a storage unit (49), the filtration device having: a collection chamber (1), a waste reservoir (21), and a filter support rm (15), the filter support platform housing a removable filter cartridge (17) having a filter suitable for capturing biological material present in the biological fluid sample; wherein the collection chamber, waste reservoir and filter support platform are connectable to permit passage of a biological fluid from the tion chamber into the waste reservoir through the filter of the filter cartridge; characterised in that the filter cartridge is slidably retained in the filter support platform (15) and the storage unit (49) body comprising a recess (53) for slidably receiving the filter cartridge, wherein the body is configured such that, when d, the filter of the filter cartridge is sealed within the body of the storage unit.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the e unit body has an opening (55) to permit access to the filter and/or filter content of the filter and/or a liquid nding the filter when the filter cartridge is in place, and wherein the e unit further ses a removable lid covering the opening (57).

3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage unit comprises a solution chamber containing a solution selected to facilitate storage and/or analysis of the biological material, and wherein engagement of the filter cartridge with the storage unit causes the release of the solution into contact with the .

4. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, n the storage unit (490) has a piston (600) retained within the recess (530), the piston and recess defining a solution chamber distal from the recess opening, the solution chamber (602) containing a solution selected to facilitate storage, sing and/or analysis of the ical material, the piston being configured such that insertion of the filter cartridge into the recess causes the piston to move further in to the recess, such that the solution contained within the chamber is forced around the piston into contact with the filter.

5. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the lid (57) has a solution chamber containing a solution selected to tate storage and/or analysis of the biological material, and wherein engagement of the lid with the storage unit body causes the solution to be released such that it ts the filter.

6. The assembly of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the solution selected to facilitate storage and/or analysis of the biological material is: (i) a buffer suitable for inducing cell lysis to permit analysis of nucleic acids, proteins, or other macromolecules released from the cell; (ii) a fixative/preservative to preserve cells with the retention of the characteristic morphology; and/or (iii) a culture medium to sustain cell growth; and/or (iv) an isotonic buffer suitable for storage of biological material.

7. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein filtration device has means for application of pressure to a fluid contained within the collection r when the device is led to force the fluid through the filter into the waste reservoir.

8. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collection chamber is compressible such that when the filtration device is assembled and the collection chamber contains a fluid sample, compression of the collection chamber applies pressure to the fluid, thereby forcing the fluid through the filter into the waste reservoir.

9. The ly of claim 8, wherein the collection chamber is a cylindrical bag (3), and n a spring (5) nds the cylindrical bag along its cylindrical axis, permitting compression of the cylindrical bag in the direction of its cylindrical axis.

10. The assembly of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the filter t platform comprises a valve (37) to allow pressure within the device to equilibrate during and after application of re.

11. The assembly any one of the ing claims, wherein the biological fluid is urine or a bladder wash.

12. The assembly any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the biological fluid is blood or serum.

13. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the biological material is cells suspended in the biological fluid.

14. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the filter is a membrane filter.

15. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, n the filter is a polycarbonate membrane.

16. A method of capturing biological material from a biological sample using an assembly ing to any one of claims 1 to 15, the method comprising: (i) providing a biological fluid sample into the collection r; (ii) connecting the collection chamber to the filter support platform and waste reservoir; (iii) causing the biological fluid sample to flow from the collection chamber into the waste reservoir through the filter to capture biological material present in the fluid; and (iv) ng the filter cartridge from the filter support platform and inserting the filter cartridge into the storage unit.

17. The method of claim 16, the method comprising applying pressure to the biological fluid sample in the collection chamber to force flow of the biological fluid sample from the tion chamber into the waste reservoir through the filter.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, the method comprising compressing the tion chamber to apply re to the biological fluid sample in the collection r.

19. A method wherein, having performed the steps of a method of any one of claims 16 to 18, the method comprises the steps of (i) isolating nucleic acids, proteins or cells from the ical material captured on the filter and/or in the solution if present; and (ii) testing the isolated material for markers known to be associated with a particular disease, condition or disorder.

20. The method of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the biological fluid is urine or a bladder wash.

21. The method of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the biological fluid is blood or serum.

22. The method of any one of claims 16 to 21, n the disease is cancer.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the cancer is a urinary or gynaecological cancer, optionally wherein the cancer is a urinary cancer.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the cancer is bladder cancer, prostate cancer, renal cancer, urethral cancer, al cancer, lial cancer, urachal , endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, melanoma, colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, a cancer of the upper GI tract, or metastatic cancer.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the cancer is bladder cancer, prostate cancer, or renal cancer.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the cancer is bladder cancer.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the cancer is scle invasive bladder cancer.

28. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the biological material is cells suspended in the ical fluid.

29. A kit comprising the collection chamber, the filter t platform, the waste reservoir, and storage unit of any one of claims 1 to 15 and, optionally, instructions for a method according to any one of claims 17 to 28. WO 36781