Microfluidics and cancer: are we there yet?

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Oncology
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Microfluidics has rapidly evolved over two decades, significantly impacting biological research.
• Cancer remains a leading global cause of mortality, necessitating innovative diagnostic and research tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of microfluidics in cancer research, covering its history, recent advancements, and future potential.
• To identify key areas where microfluidics can revolutionize cancer investigation and clinical application.

Main Methods:

• Review of current microfluidic technologies and their applications in cancer research.
• Analysis of challenges in translating microfluidic technologies to clinical settings.
• Presentation of specific microfluidic applications in cancer cell isolation, molecular diagnostics, tumor biology, and drug screening.

Main Results:

• Microfluidics provides high sensitivity, throughput, and control for cancer research.
• Key applications include isolating cancer cells, performing molecular diagnostics, studying tumor biology, and high-throughput drug screening.
• Despite potential, clinical translation faces challenges in bridging technology and real-world application.

Conclusions:

• Microfluidics holds significant promise for advancing cancer research and patient care.
• Addressing current challenges can accelerate the clinical adoption of microfluidic technologies in oncology.
• The field is poised to transform cancer diagnosis, treatment, and fundamental biological understanding.