Microfluidic cell sorting by stiffness to examine heterogenic responses of cancer cells to chemotherapy

• DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0266-x
• Publication Date: 2018-02-14T13:01:33Z
• Authors: Muhymin Islam; Roman Mezencev; Brynn McFarland; Hannah Brink; Betsy Campbell; Bushra Tasadduq; Edmund K. Waller; Wilbur Lam; Alexander Alexeev; Todd Sulchek
• Keywords: Cell Sorting

Abstract Cancers consist of a heterogeneous populations cells that may respond differently to treatment through drug-resistant sub-populations. The scarcity these resistant sub-populations makes it challenging understand how counter their resistance. We report label-free microfluidic approach separate cancer treated with chemotherapy into enriched in chemoresistant and chemosensitive based on the differences cellular stiffness. sorting enabled analysis molecular distinctions between sensitive cells. Consequently, role multiple mechanisms drug resistance was identified, including decreased sensitivity apoptosis, enhanced metabolism, extrusion drugs, and, for first time, estrogen receptor leukemia To validate findings, several inhibitors identified pathways were tested increase cytotoxicity sevenfold. Thus, can identify examine responses cancers therapies.