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Highly-sensitive capture of circulating tumor cells using micro-ellipse filters
Hongmei Chen1,2, Baoshan Cao3, Bo Sun4
1Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083, China. hongmeichen@semi.ac.cn.
Scientific Reports
|April 6, 2017
Summary
This study introduces micro-ellipse filters for non-invasive liquid biopsies, achieving 90% efficiency in capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from cancer patients. This technology aids in prognosis and monitoring treatment response.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are crucial biomarkers for cancer prognosis, offering a non-invasive liquid biopsy approach.
- Current methods for CTC detection face challenges in efficiency and sample processing.
- Microfluidic devices present a promising platform for sensitive and accurate CTC analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel microfluidic chip with micro-ellipse filters for efficient CTC detection and enumeration.
- To assess the capture efficiency and performance of the microfluidic device using both artificial and clinical samples.
- To demonstrate the clinical utility of the device in identifying CTCs from patients with metastatic breast, colon, and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Main Methods:
- Design and fabrication of microfluidic chips featuring a series of gradually narrowed micro-ellipse slits and microposts.
- Utilizing physical properties like size and deformability for selective tumor cell capture.
- Incorporation of an "Air Suction" mechanism to expedite the cell capture process.
- Testing the device with whole and lysed blood samples, including clinical samples from cancer patients.
Main Results:
- Achieved a robust capture efficiency of 90% for circulating tumor cells (CTCs).
- Demonstrated accurate enumeration of CTCs, with capture efficiency following a Gaussian distribution.
- Successfully detected positive CTCs in all tested clinical samples from metastatic breast, colon, and NSCLC patients.
- Identified over 20 CTCs in 4 patients, validating the device's sensitivity and clinical relevance.
Conclusions:
- The developed micro-ellipse filter microfluidic chip offers a highly efficient and sensitive method for CTC detection and enumeration.
- The device enables non-invasive liquid biopsies for cancer prognosis, potentially improving patient outcomes.
- This technology paves the way for on-chip anti-cancer drug response monitoring and comprehensive biological molecular analysis.