Abstract

Capturing Heterogeneous Circulating Tumor Cells in Breast and Lung Cancer Using Nanotube-CTC-Chip

Balaji Panchapakesan, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

The ability to detect cancer and its heterogeneity non-invasively in the earliest of stages can make a significant clinical impact. Therefore, biopsy of blood and other bodily fluids also called “liquid biopsy” is an emerging concept for non-invasive detection and capture of circulating tumor cells. Circulating biomarkers is a rapidly growing field of research. Circulating biomarkers include, circulating tumor cells (CTCs), exosomes, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), cell-free DNA and RNA (mRNA, miRNA, non-coding RNA, and other RNAs), circulating proteins and metabolites. However, the clinical impacts of liquid biopsy are yet to be realized. We describe the nanotube-CTC-chip for capture and analysis of heterogeneous circulating tumor cells. Using a micro-array technology, well established in the clinical domain, and utilizing nanosurfaces, we demonstrate the capture and isolation of invasive CTCs and CTCs of multiple phenotypes in breast and lung cancer patients.