Open AccessA novel 3D microdevice for the in vivo capture of cancer‐associated cells
Author(s) -
JiménezZenteno Alejandro K.,
Estève Aurore,
Cayron Hélène,
Bou Elise,
Bourrier David,
Sanson Sylvain,
Calise Denis,
Blatché Charline,
Vieu Christophe,
Malavaud Bernard,
Cerf Aline
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
medical devices & sensors
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2573-802X
DOI - 10.1002/mds3.10056
Subject(s) - in vivo , circulating tumor cell , prostate cancer , cancer cell , cancer , medicine , biomedical engineering , pathology , cancer research , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , metastasis
Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) correlate by their number to the lethal potential of the tumour and can be characterized in terms of molecular properties. The repeated isolation of living CTCs has now appeared as an unavoidable step towards their use as biomarkers in clinical routine. We introduce a 3D stealthy microdevice adapted to the in vivo capture of CTCs in the venous blood flow, on the basis of their physical characteristics, size and rigidity. Embedded in a fluidic bench mimicking an artificial arm vein, it readily captured human prostate cancer cells spiked into donor blood down to a concentration of 1,000 cells/ml. The isolation of cancer cells in venous circulation was validated in an animal model in vivo. These results open new avenues to the characterization of CTCs in prognosis, personalization of treatments and follow‐up, not only as a research tool, but also for repeated monitoring in clinical practice.