Capture and Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells with GEDI Microdevices
Associate Professor Brian Kirby
Professor Brian Kirby presents a seminar in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, "Capture and Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells with GEDI Microdevices."
Cancer mortality for solid tumors stems largely from metastatic disease. This process often involves hematogenous dissemination of cancer cells from primary tumor to metastatic site. We have developed a GEDI (geometrically enhanced differential immunocapture) microdevice that captures circulating tumor cells from the peripheral blood of cancer patients; these cells can then be enumerated, assayed for functional response and genetic provenance, and routed for downstream analysis.
The design of the GEDI device is informed by transport models for blood flow and cell adhesion, and incorporates insights from Fourier analyis of cell motion in periodic obstacle arrays. Current applications include capture of circulating tumor cells and progenitor cells from prostate, breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer patients, in collaboration with medical centers at Scripps, USC, Well-Cornell, UPenn, and Jefferson Hospital. Clinical trials are beginning to determine whether assays performed on chip can define clinical crossover points in treatment of metastatic disease with multiple taxane-based chemotherapy.
