Tumor-immune microenvironment lab chip integrating liquid-dielectrophoresis operation

Abstract

Immunotherapy drugs have effects on the activity and efficacy of T cells in cancer therapy. However, the selection of personalized medicines in the clinic is difficult. Therefore, how to simplify the process is an important issue. This study presented a three-dimensional culture in a microfluidic device. Cancer cells were cultured in the center with GelMA (Gelatin methacryloyl) to mimic the tumor tissue, while microchannels were used to mimic immune cells in peripheral blood in this chip. The T-cell infiltration into the simulated tumor environment in the chip was observed by an imaging system. In addition, a reduction in the viability of cancer cells following T-cell infiltration was also observed. Moreover, the mortality rate of cancer cells increased after cancer cells were treated with atezolizumab or pembrolizumab. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the potential of our chip for cancer research and clinical drug efficacy.