Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
Microfluidics-based High-throughput Circulating Tumor Cell Sorting and Single-cell Sequencing Technology
Published on: November 14, 2025
Sample-to-Answer Isolation and mRNA Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells
Reza M Mohamadi1, Ivaylo Ivanov1, Jessica Stojcic1
1†Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, ‡Division of Urology, Sunnybrook Research Institute, §Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, ∥Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, and ⊥Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3M2.
This study introduces an integrated circuit for rapid molecular characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from liquid biopsies. The new technology efficiently captures and profiles CTC gene expression, offering a sample-to-answer solution for cancer diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Liquid biopsies offer a non-invasive method for cancer detection and monitoring.
- Current methods for circulating tumor cell (CTC) analysis are often slow and hinder genetic profiling.
- Rapid molecular characterization of CTCs is crucial for understanding tumor state and aggressiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an integrated circuit for efficient capture and gene expression profiling of CTCs.
- To provide a rapid, sample-to-answer solution for CTC-based molecular diagnostics.
- To validate the technology's performance in detecting CTCs and prostate-specific markers in patient samples.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a velocity valley chip for magnetic nanoparticle-bound CTC capture.
- Employed nanostructured microelectrode biosensors for direct gene expression analysis of captured CTCs.
- Integrated CTC capture and gene expression profiling into a single workflow.
Main Results:
- Achieved 97% CTC capture efficiency from 2 mL of whole blood, with a 500-fold concentration in 1 hour.
- Demonstrated efficient capture of as few as 2 cancer cells per mL of blood.
- Accurately profiled prostate-specific gene expression in CTCs and detected CTCs and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mRNA in all prostate cancer patient samples, with no detection in healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- The developed integrated circuit offers the first sample-to-answer solution for gene-based CTC testing.
- This technology enables rapid and effective molecular characterization of CTCs for cancer diagnostics.
- Validated clinical utility in detecting CTCs and relevant biomarkers in prostate cancer patients.
