Visual Quantitative Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells with Single-Cell Sensitivity Using a Portable Microfluidic...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Current circulating tumor cell (CTC) detection methods require complex equipment and expertise, limiting accessibility.
• Portable diagnostic tools are needed to bring advanced detection capabilities closer to patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a portable, user-friendly platform for sensitive and quantitative detection of CTCs.
• To demonstrate the V-Chip's capability for rare cell analysis in complex biological samples.

Main Methods:

• Development of a volumetric bar chart chip (V-Chip) for CTC detection.
• Labeling CTCs with aptamer-conjugated nanoparticles (ACNPs).
• Quantifying CTCs by measuring oxygen byproduct from ACNP catalytic reaction, visualized by ink bar displacement.

Main Results:

• The V-Chip provides a visually quantifiable readout of CTC numbers, linearly correlated with ink bar distance.
• The method achieves single-cell sensitivity, capable of detecting as few as one cell.
• Successful quantitative CTC detection was demonstrated in samples with high leukocyte background.

Conclusions:

• The V-Chip is a sensitive and portable platform for rare cell detection.
• This technology has significant potential for expanding access to CTC analysis for various applications.
• The V-Chip offers a promising solution for point-of-care diagnostics and personalized medicine.