Advances in Engineering Advances in Engineering features breaking research judged by Advances in Engineering advisory team to be of key importance in the Engineering field. Papers are selected from over 10,000 published each week from most peer reviewed journals.
Cancer Research, 2014; 74 (17): 4937.
A. D. Wong, P. C. Searson.1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
2Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
ABSTRACT
Methods to visualize metastasis exist, but additional tools to better define the biologic and physical processes underlying invasion and intravasation are still needed. One difficulty in studying metastasis stems from the complexity of the interface between the tumor microenvironment and the vascular system. Here, we report the development of an investigational platform that positions tumor cells next to an artificial vessel embedded in an extracellular matrix. On this platform, we used live-cell fluorescence microscopy to analyze the complex interplay between metastatic cancer cells and a functional artificial microvessel that was lined with endothelial cells. The platform recapitulated known interactions, and its use demonstrated the capabilities for a systematic study of novel physical and biologic parameters involved in invasion and intravasation. In summary, our work offers an important new tool to advance knowledge about metastasis and candidate antimetastatic therapies.
Significance Statement:
Researchers invented a lab on chip device that can be used to study cancer metastasis. This device can assist us in understanding more about the pathology of cancer metastasis and finding new ways to cure cancer.
