biostudies-literatureChakrabarti KRNIAID NIH HHSNCI NIH HHS10486-97https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4891134biostudies-literatureUnknown7(9)Free-floating tumor cells located in the blood of cancer patients, known as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), have become key targets for studying metastasis. However, effective strategies to study the free-floating behavior of tumor cells in vitro have been a major barrier limiting the understanding of the functional properties of CTCs. Upon extracellular-matrix (ECM) detachment, breast tumor cells form tubulin-based protrusions known as microtentacles (McTNs) that play a role in the aggregation and re-attachment of tumor cells to increase their metastatic efficiency. In this study, we have designed a strategy to spatially immobilize ECM-detached tumor cells while maintaining their free-floating character. We use polyelectrolyte multilayers deposited on microfluidic substrates to prevent tuOncotargetLipid tethering of breast tumor cells enables real-time imaging of free-floating cell dynamics and drug response.PMC4891134T32 AI089621R01-CA154624F30-CA196075R01-CA124704F30 CA196075R01 CA154624R01 CA124704T32 CA154274Jewell CMAndorko JISooklal ELChakrabarti KRWhipple RAZhang PMartin SSfalseLipid tethering of breast tumor cells enables real-time imaging of free-floating cell dynamics and drug response.Free-floating tumor cells located in the blood of cancer patients, known as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), have become key targets for studying metastasis. However, effective strategies to study the free-floating behavior of tumor cells in vitro have been a major barrier limiting the understanding of the functional properties of CTCs. Upon extracellular-matrix (ECM) detachment, breast tumor cells form tubulin-based protrusions known as microtentacles (McTNs) that play a role in the aggregation and re-attachment of tumor cells to increase their metastatic efficiency. In this study, we have designed a strategy to spatially immobilize ECM-detached tumor cells while maintaining their free-floating character. We use polyelectrolyte multilayers deposited on microfluidic substrates to prevent tu2016-01-01T00:00:00Z2016 Mar2025-04-25T19:13:15.48Z2019-03-27T02:15:11ZS-EPMC48911342687128910.18632/oncotarget.7251