We take your living cancer cells and test them against chemotherapy drugs in the laboratory. You find out exactly which drugs are most effective against your cancer cells — before treatment begins.
Circulating Tumour Cell (CTC) testing — also known as a liquid biopsy or chemo sensitivity testing — is a diagnostic blood test that isolates cancer cells from the bloodstream and tests them against a panel of chemotherapy drugs. This allows your doctor to identify which specific agents are most effective against your individual cancer before treatment begins, reducing trial-and-error and personalising your treatment protocol.
When your oncologist recommends chemotherapy, the drugs are usually chosen based on what works best for most patients with your type of cancer — based on large clinical trials and treatment guidelines.
But you are not "most patients." Your cancer is unique to you. Two people with the exact same diagnosis can respond completely differently to the same drugs. One may respond well. The other may endure all the side effects with little benefit.
Currently, there is no standard method in conventional oncology to predict in advance which drugs will work best for your specific cancer. Unless you test it first.
This approach is part of integrative medicine, where treatments are selected based on individual patient needs and may be used alongside or in consideration of conventional medical care.
"Imagine being able to test your cancer cells against different chemotherapy drugs in a laboratory — and knowing which ones work before you put them into your body."
A standard blood sample is taken at our Centurion clinic. That is all we need from you.
A specialist laboratory isolates the live cancer cells circulating in your blood, cultures them, and exposes them to a panel of chemotherapy drugs.
You receive a ranked report showing which drugs are most effective against your specific cancer cells — and which ones are ineffective.
Results are typically available within 2–3 weeks.
This is why chemo sensitivity testing matters:
Chemo sensitivity test shows her cancer cells respond strongly to Carboplatin and Paclitaxel. These drugs are selected for her IPTLD protocol.
Result: Treatment targets the cancer effectively.
Same diagnosis, but her test shows those drugs have minimal effect. Her cancer responds to Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide instead.
Without the test, she may have received drugs that would not have worked.
This is the power of personalised treatment. We use the drugs your cancer responds to — not the drugs that work for "most people."
Scans can only detect tumours once they reach a certain size — typically 5 to 10 millimetres. By that point, the tumour already contains millions of cancer cells.
CTC testing is far more sensitive. It can detect cancer cells still circulating in your bloodstream even when your scans are completely clear. This gives you a much more accurate picture of whether your cancer is truly gone — or whether cells are still present that could lead to recurrence.
If CTCs are detected during remission monitoring, we can act months before a new tumour would appear on a scan. Early intervention at the cellular level is far more effective than waiting for the cancer to become visible again.
This is the test you want if you need peace of mind.
Know for certain whether cancer cells are still active in your body — do not rely on scans alone.
At Cancer SA, we use IPTLD — low-dose chemotherapy that targets cancer cells through insulin potentiation. Because we use a fraction of the standard dose, it is even more important that we use the right drugs.
Chemo sensitivity testing ensures that the agents we select for your IPTLD protocol are the ones shown in laboratory testing to be effective against your specific cancer cells. This combination — low dose, targeted delivery, and informed drug selection — is used in integrative settings with the aim of improving outcomes while generally being associated with fewer side effects compared to conventional treatments.
Patients from Pretoria, Johannesburg, across Gauteng, and even neighbouring countries arrange CTC testing through our Centurion practice. If you cannot visit for the blood draw, alternative arrangements can be discussed.
Treatment begins with an initial consultation where your medical history is reviewed in detail. A personalised plan is then developed based on your specific condition and goals.
Ongoing monitoring is carried out to assess response and adjust the approach as needed. Each patient's experience may differ depending on their overall health and treatment plan.
All treatments are provided within an integrative care framework and are tailored to the individual. They are not intended to replace necessary conventional medical care where required. Patients are encouraged to discuss all treatment options with their healthcare providers.
Individual results vary. The information on this website is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Our team will review your information and guide you on possible next steps based on your situation.
Questions about treatment?
WhatsApp Dr Pretorius directly — he personally responds to every message as soon as he can, during clinic hours only (Mon–Fri, 08:00–14:00).
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