Microfluidic Platform for Predicting Nanoparticle Dynamics in Cancer Therapeutics

The aim of this study was to design a simple microfluidic tumor-on-a-chip representation for investigating nanoparticle (NP) penetration and envisaging their behaviour for cancer treatment by utilizing synthetic Yellow-Green FluoSphere NPs (40 nm) and 200 nm Red FluoSphere NPs. This method is not only convenient but cost effective too and can easily be adapted for different types of cancer. Moreover, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were also synthesized (green) via B. subtilis (BTCB12) through the assistance of microfluidics to inspect cell viability (%) utilizing MCF7 carcinoma (breast cancer cells) in conjunction with AgNPs on and off chip. Prior to any experimentation, both synthetic and green NPs were subjected to characterization utilizing Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) that measured the size of the NPs whereas the zeta potential analysis disclosed stability of both types of NPs. Additionally, UV-Vis spectrophotometer evaluated the excitation peaks at 500 nm and 590 nm with Yellow-Green NPs and Red NPs respectively while AgNPs exhibited it at 400 nm. Afterwards FTIR also revealed some functional groups with FluoSpheres and AgNPs. Nevertheless, X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies revealed crystalline nature of AgNPs and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) displayed spherical AgNPs. After construction of the device it was at first loaded with synthetic NPs to observe their penetration intensity (%) and interactions using Fluorescence Microscopy. It was noted that Red FluoSpheres had less penetration intensity of 42 ± 1.07% than Yellow-Green FluoSpheres 49 ± 2.12%. Later cell viability with MCF7 carcinoma (breast cancer cells) and AgNPs was studied. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay (off-chip) demonstrated highest cell viability at 35 ± 1.10% with 2:1 whereas on-chip experiments presented it at 30 ± 0.09% with 100 µM concentration of AgNPs as verified by Live/dead kit. These treatments appear promising involving various NP formulations that can be applied to cancer cells during chemotherapy and related applications.