DACIT device for axon cancer cell interaction testing in 2D and 3D

Peripheral innervation is increasingly recognized as a critical regulator of tumor progression, yet in vitro models that enable controlled study of axon-cancer cell interactions remain limited. Here, we present the Device for Axon-Cancer cell Interaction Testing in 2D and 3D (DACIT), a microfluidic platform that spatially separates neuronal somas from axons and cancer cells. This configuration supports experimental designs where compartments can be exposed to either identical or distinct conditions. Moreover, the channel height allows the incorporation and monitoring of tumor spheroids, enabling quantification of tumor growth and 3D invasion. We demonstrate DACIT compatibility with common cellular assays, including immunofluorescence, invadopodia assays, pharmacological perturbations, live-cell imaging, and 3D spheroid invasion. Together, these features establish DACIT as a versatile tool to interrogate how peripheral axons influence cancer cell behavior.