Precisely Enumerating Circulating Tumor Cells Utilizing a Multi-Functional Microfluidic Chip and Unique Image Interpretation Algorithm.

ABSTRACT: Enumerating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has been demonstrably useful in cancer treatment. Although there are several approaches that have proved effective in isolating CTC-like cells, the crucial identification of CTCs continues to rely on the manual interpretation of immunofluorescence images of all cells that have been isolated. This procedure is time consuming and more importantly, CTC identification relies on subjective criteria that may differ between examiners. In this study, we describe the design, testing, and verification of a microfluidic platform that provides accurate and automated CTC enumeration using a common objective criterion. Methods: The platform consists of a multi-functional microfluidic chip and a unique image processing algorithm. The microfluidic chip int

SUBMITTER: Zhou M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5706094 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature