Cancer-on-a-Chip: Models for Studying Metastasis

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cancer Research
• Microfluidics

Background:

• The tumor microenvironment significantly influences cancer metastasis.
• Traditional in vitro models have limitations in recapitulating complex metastatic processes.
• Microfluidic technology offers a platform to create simplified yet powerful cancer models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of cancer-on-a-chip microfluidic platforms over the past three years.
• To examine the application of these models in studying key steps of metastasis: invasion/intravasation, extravasation, and angiogenesis.
• To discuss the role of mechanical cues in metastasis within these on-chip models.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of microfluidic cancer-on-a-chip platforms.
• Analysis of models focusing on invasion, extravasation, and angiogenesis.
• Discussion of on-chip modeling of mechanical forces in metastasis.
• Evaluation of popular microfluidic chip designs.

Main Results:

• Recent advancements in microfluidic platforms enable detailed study of the metastatic cascade.
• Models effectively recapitulate and simplify the in vitro tumor microenvironment.
• Mechanical cues involved in metastasis are increasingly incorporated into on-chip designs.

Conclusions:

• Cancer-on-a-chip models are advancing the understanding of tumor metastasis.
• These platforms provide unprecedented detail for studying invasion, extravasation, and angiogenesis.
• Future perspectives involve refining designs and addressing current challenges in the field.