Cell Elasticity-based Microfluidic Label-free Isolation of Metastatic Tumor Cells

Abstract

Aims: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have significant diagnostic value for cancer patients. We report a label -free, simple and rapid microchannel filter type device for isolation ofknown metastatic cancercells based on their mechano-physical properties like size and deformability. Study Design:Metastatic renal cancer cells were highly elastic and squeeze d through microchannels much smaller than their size. Using a reverse -selectivity approach, the number of microchannels and their dimensionswere varied to optimize and reduce the shear stress o n tumor cells such that these did