The invention includes a cell-growth-on-bead assay for screening a one-bead-one-compound combinatorial bead library to identify synthetic ligands for cell attachment and growth or proliferation of epithelial cells. Cells are incubated with a compound bead library for 24 to 72-hours, allowing them to attach and grow on the beads. Those beads with cells growing are removed, and the ligand on the bead is identified. Also provided are ligands specific for epithelial cancer cells. The invention also includes a method of capturing epithelial cells from body fluids. In this method, beads are prepared with a known ligand specific for a particular type of cell and incubated for 24 to 72 hours with a sample of the body fluid being tested. Those cells attached to the beads are removed and identified.