Cha-Mei Tang Recognized for Excellence in Pioneering Cancer Diagnostics

Celebrating Innovation in Cancer Diagnostics

In a significant recognition of excellence, Dr. Cha-Mei Tang has been appointed as a Pinnacle Professional Member of the Inner Circle. This accolade highlights her outstanding contributions to the field of cancer diagnostics, specifically through her pioneering work on a groundbreaking blood test that detects cancer through circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and giant cancer-associated microphage-like cells (CAMLs).

Dr. Tang, with an impressive academic background from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she earned her Doctor of Science, Master of Science, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, has dedicated over 15 years to revolutionizing cancer screening methodologies. Her groundbreaking research has led to a better understanding of cancer biomarkers, particularly identifying CAMLs, which are unique to cancer patients and absent in healthy individuals.

The importance of CAMLs was largely overlooked until Dr. Tang and her team systematically analyzed them, demonstrating their potential to serve as a crucial biomarker for monitoring cancer progression. This innovative approach allows for not only the early detection of various cancers but also provides insights into their aggressiveness, treatment responses, and the effectiveness of monitoring therapeutic interventions.

The laboratory that leads this pioneering work is the Creatv Bio Division of Creatv MicroTech, where the revolutionary testing method LifeTracDx® is applied. This test enables clinicians to gain critical information about cancer patients within a short timeframe, thus potentially saving lives by facilitating timely intervention and personalized treatment plans.

Dr. Tang’s commitment to the field has earned her several prestigious accolades. She was elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society in 1990 and received the WISE Award in 1992, recognizing her as the Most Outstanding Woman Scientist in the Federal Government. Additionally, she earned the RD 100 Award in 2006, demonstrating her innovative contributions to science and technology. Her company, Creatv MicroTech, was honored as the Bioscience Company of the Year in Montgomery County, Maryland in 2013. In 2024, she was also inducted into Marquis Who’s Who, further cementing her legacy in the scientific community.

Dr. Tang’s work exemplifies how interdisciplinary knowledge spanning physics, engineering, and biological science can drastically improve healthcare outcomes. After fulfilling a major role at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and participating in research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Dr. Tang founded Creatv MicroTech, a company committed to advancing the science of diagnostics.

As part of her vision for the future, Dr. Tang is determined to enhance the LifeTracDx® blood test at Creatv’s CLIA-certified laboratory in Monmouth Junction, NJ, starting in 2025. This effort aims to bolster early cancer detection capabilities and ultimately improve patient outcomes through enhanced diagnostic precision and efficiency.

The recognition from the Inner Circle not only celebrates Dr. Tang's achievements but also highlights the vital importance of innovative technologies in the field of cancer diagnostics. Her continued dedication to advancing this field serves as an inspiration, driving the quest for improved methods of early detection and treatment, reaffirming the belief that through scientific investment and research, we can fight against cancer more effectively and profoundly.