A negative selection system PowerMag for effective leukocyte depletion and enhanced detection of EpCAM positive and negative circulating tumor cells

► Circulating tumor cells can be recovered by leukocyte depletion. ► PowerMag system is effective for leukocyte depletion and CTC recovery. ► The number of EpCAM+CD45− and EpCAM−CD45− cells is increased in cancer patients. ► PowerMag holds great promise as a platform for CTC isolation in a clinical setting.