In this paper we are investigating three dimensional (3-D) silicon-based microenvironments as potential platforms for breast cancer diagnostics. We have developed isotropically etched microstructures with a wide range of geometrical patterns for this purpose. Our results indicate that with the etched surface ratio of ∼65%, it is possible to capture 80–90% of the cancer cells within each silicon chip. After treatment of the cells with mitomycin C (to block the cell growth) more number of the cells are trapped inside the etched features for longer cultures times (72 h) suggesting that there is a directed motility and attraction of the cells toward the etched cavities and by optimally designing the etched features, the proposed platforms can be potentially used for diagnostics purposes.
The Future of Breast Cancer Diagnostics
