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Microfluidics-based High-throughput Circulating Tumor Cell Sorting and Single-cell Sequencing Technology
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Detection of circulating sarcoma tumor cells using a microfluidic chip-type cell sorter.
Nobuhiko Hasegawa1,2, Ikuko Takeda Nakamura1,3, Toshihide Ueno1
1Division of Cellular Signaling, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
Scientific Reports
|December 29, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed a microfluidic system to detect circulating sarcoma cells (CSCs) in blood. This method successfully isolated a CSC from a patient, aiding in early cancer detection and personalized treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
- Genetics
Background:
- Circulating tumor cell (CTC) analysis is vital for cancer relapse detection and prognosis.
- Limited research exists on CTC utility in sarcoma detection and monitoring.
- Sarcoma, a rare cancer, requires innovative diagnostic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a system for detecting circulating sarcoma cells (CSCs) using microfluidics.
- To establish a reliable protocol for CSC separation and recovery from patient blood.
- To assess the potential of CSCs as early biomarkers for sarcoma metastasis and recurrence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the On-chip Sort microfluidic chip-type cell sorter to create a CSC detection system.
- Conducted a pilot study with normal fibroblast and sarcoma cell lines to optimize the separation protocol.
- Successfully isolated a single CSC from 10 ml of whole blood from a patient with locally advanced myxofibrosarcoma.
Main Results:
- A reliable protocol for CSC separation and recovery was established using the On-chip Sort system.
- A single circulating sarcoma cell was successfully detected and recovered from patient blood.
- A specific KMT2B mutation (p.Ile2602Val) found in the primary tumor was confirmed in the isolated CSC.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic system shows promise for detecting circulating sarcoma cells.
- CSCs have the potential to serve as an early predictor for sarcoma metastasis and recurrence.
- This approach may aid in optimizing post-operative therapies for sarcoma patients, especially those without detectable metastasis.
