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Updated: Jan 17, 2026
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Clinical Microfluidic Chip Platform for the Isolation of Versatile Circulating Tumor Cells
Published on: October 13, 2023
1.7K
Multivalent capture of circulating tumor cells using tetrahedral DNA framework-targeted nanomagnetic beads integrated
Chuang Zhang1, Xinhua Zhang2, Jian Zhang3
1Department of Medical Laboratory, Suzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 18 Yangsu Road, Suzhou 215000, PR China.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|September 19, 2025
Summary
A new method efficiently isolates rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood using DNA nanostructures and magnetic separation. This advance aids in personalized cancer diagnostics and treatment through improved liquid biopsy analysis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are crucial biomarkers for cancer progression and prognosis.
- Challenges in CTC isolation include low abundance, heterogeneity, and fragility.
- Existing methods struggle to capture diverse CTC phenotypes effectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an advanced platform for efficient and reliable isolation of viable, phenotypically diverse CTCs.
- To enable robust downstream analysis of CTCs for personalized cancer diagnostics.
- To overcome limitations of current CTC enrichment techniques.
Main Methods:
- Utilized tetrahedral DNA nanostructure-based trivalent aptamer magnetic nanospheres (TDF-Cocktail-MNP).
- Integrated TDF-Cocktail-MNP with a magnetic microfluidic separation device for CTC capture.
- Employed a multi-aptamer approach (EpCAM, Vimentin, EGFR) for broad CTC targeting.
- Used the IsoFlux System for gentle CTC enrichment, preserving cell viability.
- Quantified and classified CTCs via immunocytochemistry after DNA scaffold removal.
Main Results:
- The platform demonstrated enhanced capture of viable and phenotypically diverse CTCs.
- Successfully isolated heterogeneous CTC populations from whole blood samples.
- The IsoFlux System minimized mechanical stress on captured CTCs.
- Validated the platform's efficacy using spiked and clinical breast cancer samples.
Conclusions:
- The novel CTC isolation platform offers a promising solution for liquid biopsy applications.
- Provides robust CTC detection for personalized cancer diagnostics and treatment strategies.
- Addresses key challenges in CTC isolation, improving accuracy and reliability.
