Enhanced tumor cell separation by surfaces functionalized with combinations of bioadhesive proteins

We have achieved the evenly distributed, stable immobilization of proteins: P-selectin, E-selectin, anti-EpCAM, and mixtures of the proteins, using epoxy-functionalized glass slides. The immobilized proteins maintained their own biological adhesive functions that induce cell rolling and stationary binding. The enhanced separation capacity and capture efficiency by combination of these immobilized proteins hold promise to be potentially utilized for future cell specific capturing devices. We are presently translating these results to a device to capture CTCs from the mixture of other cell lines and whole blood. In addition to the potential use of this device as a metastatic cancer treatment tool by filtering CTCs from the bloodstream, the advantages of this device include the ability to collect CTCs from whole blood under continuous flow without labeling or damaging the CTCs. Therefore, the collected CTCs can be extracted and potentially be subject of further analysis such as genetic understanding and responses for currently available therapeutic drugs by culture expansion.