Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
08:10
Capture and Release of Viable Circulating Tumor Cells from Blood
Published on: October 28, 2016
3D microfilter device for viable circulating tumor cell (CTC) enrichment from blood
Siyang Zheng1, Henry K Lin, Bo Lu
1Department of Bioengineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. siyang@psu.edu
Biomedical Microdevices
|October 28, 2010
Summary
A new 3D microfilter device effectively enriches viable circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood. This technology aids in diagnosing and monitoring metastatic cancers by improving CTC assessment.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are crucial biomarkers for metastatic cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
- Minimally invasive detection of CTCs offers significant clinical advantages.
- Current CTC enrichment methods face challenges in maintaining cell viability and purity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate a novel three-dimensional (3D) microfilter device for enriching viable CTCs from blood.
- To demonstrate the device's capability in preserving cell integrity and viability during the enrichment process.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a 3D microfilter using photolithography with two shifted-pore parylene membranes.
- Utilizing scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, and immunofluorescent staining to assess cell capture.
- Employing model systems with cultured tumor cells spiked in blood or saline.
Main Results:
- The 3D microfilter successfully enriched viable CTCs from blood samples.
- The device design minimizes stress on cell membranes, ensuring high cell viability post-filtration.
- Microscopic analyses confirmed efficient capture and integrity of the enriched CTCs.
Conclusions:
- The novel 3D microfilter represents a significant advancement in CTC enrichment technology.
- This device offers a valuable tool for research and clinical settings for assessing and characterizing viable CTCs.
- Improved CTC enrichment can enhance cancer diagnostics and prognostics.
