Laser transfer for circulating tumor cell isolation in liquid biopsy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biotechnology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Liquid biopsy offers a noninvasive method for cancer research, studying circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and related biomolecules.
• Isolating single CTCs with high viability for comprehensive characterization remains a significant challenge in cancer diagnostics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a new liquid laser transfer (LLT) approach for high-viability single circulating tumor cell (CTC) isolation.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of a blister-actuated laser-induced forward transfer (BA-LIFT) process for CTC isolation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an ultraviolet laser and a plasma-treated polyimide layer for blister generation in a BA-LIFT process, ensuring cells are shielded from direct laser irradiation.
• Employed a negative selection strategy, identifying peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with fluorescent markers while leaving target cancer cells unstained.
• Integrated laser irradiation, standard imaging, and fluorescence imaging into a single optical path for efficient cell targeting and isolation.

Main Results:

• Successfully isolated single MDA-MB-231 cancer cells using the developed LLT-BA-LIFT technique.
• Isolated unstained cancer cells were cultured, and their DNA was prepared for single-cell sequencing (SCS).
• The method demonstrated preservation of cell viability and potential for downstream SCS.

Conclusions:

• The LLT-BA-LIFT approach is an effective method for isolating single CTCs with preserved viability.
• This technique facilitates further genetic, phenotypic, and morphological characterization of CTCs, supporting advancements in cancer research and diagnostics.