Sound helps to isolate cancer cells in blood tests

Copper news based on the materials of Science Daily: Sound separates cancer cells from blood samples

A new method using surface acoustic waves can significantly simplify the separation of circulating tumor cells (CCCs) and blood cells. The number of cells detached from the main tumor and floating in the bloodstream can indicate the success of cancer treatment and is an important prognostic factor.

Scientists have designed and tested a device in which two sources of sound waves of the same length are located on the sides of the blood sample under study. Waves directed at each other pick up and carry out the necessary cells from the flow.

Below is a diagram of the operation and appearance of the device provided by the head of work Tony Jun Huang for the press release of Pennsylvania State University.
Article by Li et al. Acoustic separation of circulating tumor cells is published in PNAS – VM.

"The work of a large interdisciplinary team of researchers has led to the design and development of a strategy for the identification and separation of CSCs while preserving the integrity of the cell," says Subra Suresh from Carnegie Mellon University. "This opens up new opportunities for fundamental research of pathologies and metastasis, as well as for the clinical diagnosis of a few tumor cells."

CSCs are an alternative to biopsy and allow for oncodiagnostics without surgical interventions. Now there are several methods for detecting the number of CSCs, but all have drawbacks. The new development is inexpensive, non-invasive, does not change or damage cells. But for introduction into clinical practice, it still needs to be fast and easily applicable. In the experiment, the researchers managed to develop prototypes of a device that processes a 5-milliliter blood sample in just 5 hours.

Currently, scientists are working to improve the usability of the technology by doctors and are considering the possibility of mass production of the device.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru10.04.2015