Microfluidic Systems for Cancer Diagnosis and Applications

Microfluidic devices have led to novel biological advances through the improvement of micro systems that can mimic and measure. Microsystems easily handle sub-microliter volumes, obviously with guidance presumably through laminated fluid flows. Microfluidic systems have production methods that do not need expert engineering, away from a centralized laboratory, and can implement basic and point of care analysis, and this has attracted attention to their widespread dissemination and adaptation to specific biological issues. The general use of microfluidic tools in clinical settings can be seen in pregnancy tests and diabetic control, but recently microfluidic platforms have become a key novel technology for cancer diagnostics. Cancer is a heterogeneous group of diseases that needs a multimodal paradigm to diagnose, manage, and treat. Using advanced technologies can enable this, providing better diagnosis and treatment for cancer patients. Microfluidic tools have evolved as a promising tool in the field of cancer such as detection of a single cancer cell, liquid biopsy, drug screening modeling angiogenesis, and metastasis detection. This review summarizes the need for the low-abundant blood and serum cancer diagnosis with microfluidic tools and the progress that has been followed to develop integrated microfluidic platforms for this application in the last few years.

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Microfluidic Approaches and Methods Enabling Extracellular Vesicle Isolation for Cancer Diagnostics

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi13010139 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 139

Author(s):

Premanshu Kumar Singh ◽

Aarti Patel ◽

Anastasia Kaffenes ◽

Catherine Hord ◽

Delaney Kesterson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Extracellular Vesicle ◽

Cancer Diagnostics ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

The Past ◽

Point Of Care Diagnostics ◽

Technological Advances ◽

Past Half Century ◽

Past Half

Advances in cancer research over the past half-century have clearly determined the molecular origins of the disease. Central to the use of molecular signatures for continued progress, including rapid, reliable, and early diagnosis is the use of biomarkers. Specifically, extracellular vesicles as biomarker cargo holders have generated significant interest. However, the isolation, purification, and subsequent analysis of these extracellular vesicles remain a challenge. Technological advances driven by microfluidics-enabled devices have made the challenges for isolation of extracellular vesicles an emerging area of research with significant possibilities for use in clinical settings enabling point-of-care diagnostics for cancer. In this article, we present a tutorial review of the existing microfluidic technologies for cancer diagnostics with a focus on extracellular vesicle isolation methods.

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Magnetic Digital Microfluidics for Point-of-Care Testing: Where Are We Now?

Current Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/0929867327666200903115448 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

Author(s):

Yi Zhang

Keyword(s):

System Integration ◽

Diagnostic Tests ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Digital Microfluidics ◽

Controlled Environment ◽

Point Of Care Testing ◽

Microfluidic Platforms ◽

Interface System ◽

Technical Issues ◽

Sample System

: Point-of-care (POC) testing decentralizes the diagnostic tests to the sites near the patient. Many POC tests rely microfluidic platforms for sample-to-answer analysis. Compared to other microfluidic systems, magnetic digital microfluidics demonstrate compelling advantages for POC diagnostics. In this review, we have examined the capability of magnetic digital microfluidics-based POC diagnostic platforms. More importantly, we have categorized POC settings into three classes based on “where is the point”, “who to care” and “how to test”, and evaluated the suitability of magnetic digital microfluidics in various POC settings. Furthermore, we have addressed other technical issues associated with POC testing such as controlled environment, sample-system interface, system integration and information connectivity. We hope this review would provide a guideline for the future development of magnetic digital microfluidics-based platforms for POC testing.

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Design Strategies for Electrochemical Aptasensors for Cancer Diagnostic Devices

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21030736 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 736

Author(s):

Kamila Malecka ◽

Edyta Mikuła ◽

Elena E. Ferapontova

Keyword(s):

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Quality Of Healthcare ◽

Cancer Diagnostics ◽

Screening Tests ◽

Design Strategies ◽

Excellent Thermal Stability ◽

Electrochemical Biosensing ◽

Equipment Size

Improved outcomes for many types of cancer achieved during recent years is due, among other factors, to the earlier detection of tumours and the greater availability of screening tests. With this, non-invasive, fast and accurate diagnostic devices for cancer diagnosis strongly improve the quality of healthcare by delivering screening results in the most cost-effective and safe way. Biosensors for cancer diagnostics exploiting aptamers offer several important advantages over traditional antibodies-based assays, such as the in-vitro aptamer production, their inexpensive and easy chemical synthesis and modification, and excellent thermal stability. On the other hand, electrochemical biosensing approaches allow sensitive, accurate and inexpensive way of sensing, due to the rapid detection with lower costs, smaller equipment size and lower power requirements. This review presents an up-to-date assessment of the recent design strategies and analytical performance of the electrochemical aptamer-based biosensors for cancer diagnosis and their future perspectives in cancer diagnostics.

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DNA aptamer-based detection of prostate cancer

Chemical Papers ◽

10.1515/chempap-2015-0025 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 69 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Pawan Jolly ◽

Nello Formisano ◽

Pedro Estrela

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Specific Antigen ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Dna Aptamer ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Gradual Transition ◽

Long Term Stability ◽

Promising Tool

AbstractThe use of aptamers in biosensing has attracted considerable attention as an alternative to antibodies because of their unique properties such as long-term stability, cost-effectiveness and adjustability to various applications. Among cancers, the early diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the greatest concerns for ageing men worldwide. One of the most commonly used biomarkers for PCa is prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which can be found in elevated levels in patients with cancer. This review presents the gradual transition of research from antibody-based to aptamerbased biosensors, specifically for PSA. A brief description on aptamer-based biosensing for other PCa biomarkers is also presented. Special attention is given to electrochemical methods as analytical techniques for the development of simple, sensitive and cost-effective biosensors. The review also focuses on the different surface chemistries exploited for fabrication and their applications in clinical samples. The use of aptamers represents a promising tool for the development of point-ofcare biosensors for the early detection of prostate cancer. In view of the unmatched upper hand of aptamers, future prospects are also discussed, not only in the point-of-care format but also in other novel applications.

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Disposable Voltammetric Immunosensors Integrated with Microfluidic Platforms for Biomedical, Agricultural and Food Analyses: A Review

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s18124124 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 4124 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fabiana Felix ◽

Alexandre Baccaro ◽

Lúcio Angnes

Keyword(s):

Quality Management ◽

Signal Amplification ◽

Screen Printing ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Microfluidic Devices ◽

Strong Interactions ◽

Point Of Care Testing ◽

Microfluidic Platforms ◽

Broad Variety ◽

Interesting Alternative

Disposable immunosensors are analytical devices used for the quantification of a broad variety of analytes in different areas such as clinical, environmental, agricultural and food quality management. They detect the analytes by means of the strong interactions between antibodies and antigens, which provide concentration-dependent signals. For the herein highlighted voltammetric immunosensors, the analytical measurements are due to changes in the electrical signals on the surface of the transducers. The possibility of using disposable and miniaturized immunoassays is a very interesting alternative for voltammetric analyses, mainly, when associated with screen-printing technologies (screen-printed electrodes, SPEs), and microfluidic platforms. The aim of this paper is to discuss a carefully selected literature about different examples of SPEs-based immunosensors associated with microfluidic technologies for diseases, food, agricultural and environmental analysis. Technological aspects of the development of the voltammetric immunoassays such as the signal amplification, construction of paper-based microfluidic platforms and the utilization of microfluidic devices for point-of-care testing will be presented as well.

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The Application of Hand-Held Ultrasound Scanner in Teaching of Telemedicine and Rural Medicine

Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology ◽

10.5005/jp-journals-10009-1340 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 87-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Oscar Noriega ◽

Hoi Ho ◽

Justin Wright

Keyword(s):

Point Of Care ◽

Modern Medicine ◽

Diagnostic Instrument ◽

Obstetrics And Gynecology ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Ultrasound Images ◽

Rural Medicine ◽

Physical Examinations ◽

Ultrasound Scanner

ABSTRACT Stethoscope, the symbol of modern medicine has been in place for more than 150 years. However, this reliable diagnostic instrument has started showing its age with the arrival of a newer diagnostic instrument: the hand-held ultrasound. Hand-held ultrasound is rapidly expanding in many specialties but not yet in obstetrics and gynecology. There is a paucity of literature on the application of hand-held ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology, in contrast to a large volume of literature published by other specialties. Several studies demonstrated that medical students and residents can improve the accuracy of their physical examinations with the use of hand-held ultrasound. Similarly, physical examinations performed by hospitalists with hand-carried ultrasound are more accurate than those performed without the instrument. Advances in technology have contributed to the improvement of image quality and portability. As a result, these devices become increasingly available in many clinical settings such as point of care, telemedicine and rural medicine. The quality of ultrasound images of the hand-held scanner is inferior to those of standard laptop ultrasound. However, the hand-held ultrasound requires much less time for setup. Although there have been recommendations for training guidelines for operators of hand-held ultrasound, standards for optimal training to achieve level of competency have not been determined. How to cite this article Wright J, Noriega O, Ho H. The Application of Hand-Held Ultrasound Scanner in Teaching of Telemedicine and Rural Medicine. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014;8(1):87-91.

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Hybrid Antibodies in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

The International Journal of Biological Markers ◽

10.1177/172460088900400301 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 131-134 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

S. Ménard ◽

S. Canevari ◽

M.I. Colnaghi

Keyword(s):

Tumor Cell ◽

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Cytotoxic T Cells ◽

Lymphocyte Activation ◽

Cytotoxic Agents ◽

Toxic Agent ◽

In Vivo Models ◽

Promising Tool

Monoclonal Antibodies (Mabs) represent a promising tool for cancer diagnosis and theraphy. Administration of MAbs alone or conjugated to cytotoxic agents has been attempted but has significant limitations. Another potentially effective approach is the use of bispecific or bifunctional antibodies where the capacity to recognize the tumor cell and the toxic agent or lymphocyte activation molecule are united in one MAb. The hybrid molecule can be produced by chemical linkage between the two parentalantibodies, or alternatively by a biological approach that consists in the fusion of the two selected hybridomas. In the resulting quadroma cell the hybridoma immunoglobulin chains recombine randomly to form the bifunctional MAb. In different in vitro and in vivo models, bifunctional MAbs against tumor and CDS at nanomolar concentration has been shown to promote tumor cell killing by cytotoxic T cells. Specific localization of chemotherapeutic drugs in xenografted tumors has been demonstrated in mice pretreated with hybrid MAbs. The advantages of the hybrid MAb approach are that it should reduce the MAb biodistribution problem and that it involves no chemical manipulation between the functional agent and the MAb molecules.

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Point-of-care ultrasound in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber

Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine ◽

10.22462/05.06.2021.2 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 221-226

Author(s):

Kirsten Hornbeak ◽

◽

Jay Duchnick ◽

Anthony Medak ◽

Peter Lindholm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Imaging Modality ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Electronic Devices ◽

Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Safety Standards ◽

Patient Assessments ◽

Hyperbaric Environment ◽

Hbo2 Therapy

Historically, electronic devices have been generally prohibited during hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy due to risk of fire in a pressurized, oxygen-rich environment. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), however, has emerged as a useful imaging modality in diverse clinical settings. Hyperbaric chambers treating critically ill patients would benefit from the application of POCUS at pressure to make real-time patient assessments. Thus far, POCUS during HBO2 therapy has been limited due to required equipment modifications to meet safety standards. Here we demonstrate proof of concept, safety, and successful performance of an off-the-shelf handheld POCUS system (SonoSite iViz) in a clinical hyperbaric environment without need for modification.

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