Detection and capture of breast cancer cells with photoacoustic flow cytometry

Abstract

Abstract. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer related deaths among women. Metastasis-the presence of secondary tumors caused by the spread of cancer cells via the circulatory or lymphatic systems-significantly worsens the prognosis of any breast cancer patient. A technique is developed to detect circulating breast cancer cells in human blood using a photoacoustic flow cytometry method. A Q-switched laser is used to interrogate thousands of blood cells with one pulse as they flow through the beam path. Cells that are optically absorbing, either naturally or artificially, emit an ultrasound wave as a result of the photoacoustic (PA) effect. Breast cancer cells are targeted with chromophores through immunochemistry in order to enhance optical absorption. After which, the PA cytometry device is calibrated to demonstrate the ability to detect single cells. Cultured breast cancer cells are added to whole blood to reach a biologically relevant concentration of about 25 to 45 breast cancer cells per 1 mL of blood. An in vitro PA flow cytometer is used to detect and isolate these cells followed by capture with the use of a micromanipulator. This method can not only be used to determine the disease state of the patient and the response to therapy but also it can be used for genetic testing and in vitro drug trials since the circulating cell can be captured and studied.

Photoacoustic Flow System for the Detection of Ovarian Circulating Tumor Cells Utilizing Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles

“…PAFC combines traditional flow cytometry with PA detection to characterize CTCs in flow . Several studies have demonstrated the value of PAFC for its ability to isolate and identify specific cells using either endogenous or exogenous chromophores to generate contrast. , PAFC has several advantages over traditional flow cytometry including its ability to specifically identify cells of interest deep in human tissues and its ease of translation to in vivo applications . These PAFC systems show great promise; however, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has yet utilized PAFC for the detection of ovarian CTCs.…”

Circulating tumor cells in colorectal cancer in the era of precision medicine

“…Based on photoacoustic effect Bhattacharyya et al [60] used photoacoustic flow cytometry (PAFC) to detect CTCs in the peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer. It works by the absorption of laser light through nanoparticles labeled with antibodies on target cells.…”

“…It works by the absorption of laser light through nanoparticles labeled with antibodies on target cells. They also found that this method could be used to study the response of patients with breast cancer to treatment as well as in vitro drug trials [ 60 ].…”

Designing a Peptide‐modified Screen‐printed Gold Electrode as a Sensor for the Human Monocytic Leukemia Cell Line

“…When cell sensing is performed in diagnosis, a sensitivity of at least 10-45 cells/ mL is required [10,11]. In order to count cells in the clinical setting, a cell counter [12], hemocytometer [13], and a flow site meter are used [14,15]. Although these methods are practical, clinical systems in the field require low-cost apparatus introduction, superior sensitivity, and simple steps.…”