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A modular 3D printed lab-on-a-chip for early cancer detection
Alessandro Chiadò1, Gianluca Palmara1, Annalisa Chiappone1
1Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, 10129, Italy. francesca.frascella@polito.it.
Lab on a Chip
|January 16, 2020
Summary
A novel 3D printed device enables covalent immobilization of bioreceptors for detecting angiogenesis biomarkers, crucial for early cancer diagnosis and treatment. This functional polymeric chip offers improved diagnostics for cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Cancer Diagnostics
- 3D Microfabrication
Background:
- Angiogenesis biomarkers are critical indicators of cancer onset and metastasis.
- Early detection of these biomarkers facilitates less invasive therapeutic strategies.
- Existing diagnostic methods require improvement for sensitivity and specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a functional polymeric 3D device for covalent immobilization of bioreceptors.
- To demonstrate the device's effectiveness in detecting angiogenesis biomarkers using an immunoassay.
- To enable early cancer diagnosis through sensitive biomarker detection.
Main Methods:
- Stereolithography-based 3D printing of a photocurable polymer formulation.
- Incorporation of carboxyl groups (-COOH) for covalent bioreceptor attachment.
- Immunoassay development for detecting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2.
Main Results:
- A single-step printing process produced a functional polymeric 3D device.
- Successful covalent immobilization of bioreceptors was achieved.
- Detection limits of 11 ng mL⁻¹ for VEGF and 0.8 ng mL⁻¹ for angiopoietin-2 were obtained.
Conclusions:
- 3D microfabrication combined with material science enables engineered polymeric chips with tunable functionalities.
- The developed device shows promise for early cancer diagnosis by detecting key angiogenesis biomarkers.
- This approach offers a platform for advanced, functional diagnostic tools.
