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Cell Death Analysis in Cancer Spheroids from a Microfluidic Device
Julie Lafontaine1, Elena Refet-Mollof1,2, Ouafa Najyb1
1Institut du Cancer de Montréal (ICM), Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|September 10, 2022
Summary
Microfluidic devices enable cost-effective, high-throughput drug screening using 3D cancer spheroids. This approach aids in discovering novel drug combinations for cancer radiotherapy enhancement.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- 3D cancer spheroids offer a more relevant preclinical model than 2D cultures.
- Microfluidic technology allows for precise control and miniaturization of biological assays.
- Combination therapies, including radiotherapy, are crucial for overcoming cancer treatment resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a microfluidic system for cytotoxicity evaluation of cancer spheroids.
- To identify potential drug combinations that enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy.
- To establish a cost-effective platform for preclinical drug screening.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and preparation of microfluidic devices for spheroid culture.
- Seeding of cancer cells to form 3D spheroids within the microfluidic device.
- Cytotoxicity assessment using spheroid size, colony formation assays, and flow cytometry for apoptotic markers (Annexin V).
Main Results:
- Successful generation and culture of cancer spheroids in microfluidic devices.
- Demonstration of microfluidic system's capability for high-throughput drug screening.
- Quantification of cell death and apoptotic responses to various treatments.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidic-based spheroid models provide a powerful tool for preclinical cancer drug discovery.
- This system facilitates the identification of synergistic drug combinations for radiotherapy.
- The technology enables low-cost, efficient evaluation of therapeutic strategies.
