Abstract

Expansion of Circulating Tumor Cells in Pancreatic Cancer using a High Throughput Microfluidic Labyrinth

Lianette Rivera, Researcher, University of Michigan

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with the highest mortality rate among all cancer types. Emerging evidence has pointed the importance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the spread of cancers and metastasis. CTCs are believed to be the most promising cancer biomarkers available in blood that could be used for not only prognosis, but also for cancer detection and development of personalized treatment. Here we present a complete label free technology to isolate and expand CTCs from whole blood at a high throughput of 2.5mL/min in a single step. The use of Labyrinth has allowed for the first time pancreatic cancer CTC expansion in PDA patients (n=3). Several characterization experiments, both in 2D and 3D environments were performed to highlight the heterogeneity of CTC among the patients. For example, immunocytochemistry study using 6 antibodies shows the high variability of morphology among patient’s culture, ranging from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotypes. Drug sensitivity testing of expended CTCs indicates that these patients exhibit different sensitivity against commonly used chemotherapy drugs and radiotherapy. Beyond CTC enumeration, an ex vivo functional studies using patient-derived CTCs will help to elucidate the most aggressive subpopulations within CTCs for its use as a prognostic tool.