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Updated: Nov 22, 2025

Author Spotlight: Identification and Isolation of Quiescent Leukemia Stem Cells from Zebrafish T-ALL
Published on: July 19, 2024
Single cell biomass tracking allows identification and isolation of rare targeted therapy-resistant DLBCL cells
Graeme F Murray1, Daniel Guest, Andrey Mikheykin
1Department of Physics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. jcreed@vcu.edu.
Abstract:
Adaptive resistance is a major limitation in the use of targeted therapies for cancer. Using real time biomass tracking, we demonstrate the isolation and identification of rare (1% fraction) diffuse large B cell lymphoma cells resistant to the PI3K inhibitor idelalisib, from an otherwise sensitive population. This technique allows direct study of these rare, drug tolerant cells.
Insights
Researchers isolated rare drug-resistant cancer cells using real-time biomass tracking. This breakthrough enables direct study of these rare, drug-tolerant cells, advancing targeted cancer therapy research.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Adaptive resistance is a significant challenge in targeted cancer therapies.
- Understanding the mechanisms of drug resistance is crucial for improving treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify rare, drug-resistant cancer cells from a sensitive population.
- To develop a method for studying drug-tolerant cells in real-time.
Main Methods:
- Utilized real-time biomass tracking technology.
- Isolated a 1% fraction of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells resistant to idelalisib.
Main Results:
- Successfully isolated rare idelalisib-resistant diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of studying these rare, drug-tolerant cells directly.
Conclusions:
- Real-time biomass tracking is effective for isolating rare, drug-resistant cancer cells.
- This technique facilitates direct investigation of drug tolerance mechanisms in cancer.

