Capture of Circulating Tumour Cell Clusters Using Straight Microfluidic Chips.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biotechnology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are key indicators of metastasis in head and neck cancers (HNCs).
• The role of CTC clusters, potentially more metastatic than single CTCs, requires further investigation.
• Current methods for CTC detection and analysis have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel microfluidic chip for efficient isolation of CTCs, CTC clusters, and circulating tumor microemboli (CTMs) in HNC patients.
• To investigate the presence and characteristics of CTC subsets in HNC patient samples.
• To explore the potential metastatic capacity of CTC clusters, particularly regarding EGFR amplification.

Main Methods:

• Utilization of a novel straight microfluidic chip for focusing and capturing CTCs, CTC clusters, and CTMs.
• Analysis of 21 HNC patient samples to quantify CTC subsets.
• Identification and characterization of EGFR amplification within CTC clusters.

Main Results:

• The microfluidic chip demonstrated high cell recovery rates for CTCs and CTC clusters at clinically relevant concentrations (10-500 cells/mL).
• Single CTCs were detected in 10/21 samples, CTC clusters in 9/21 samples, and CTMs in 2/21 samples.
• CTC clusters were found to contain single CTCs with EGFR amplification.

Conclusions:

• The novel microfluidic chip enables efficient sorting and preservation of CTCs, CTC clusters, and CTMs.
• CTC clusters, containing EGFR-amplified cells, represent a significant subset in HNC.
• Further studies with larger cohorts are warranted to elucidate the clinical implications of these CTC subsets in HNC metastasis.