Biomicrofluidic Systems for Hematologic Cancer Research and Clinical Applications

Abstract

A persistent challenge in developing personalized treatments for hematologic cancers is the lack of patient specific, physiologically relevant disease models to test investigational drugs in clinical trials and to select therapies in a clinical setting. Biomicrofluidic systems and organ-on-a-chip technologies have the potential to change how researchers approach the fundamental study of hematologic cancers and select clinical treatment for individual patient. Here, we review microfluidics cell-based technology with application toward studying hematologic tumor microenvironments (TMEs) for the purpose of drug discovery and clinical treatment selection. We provide an overview of state-of-the-art microfluidic systems designed to address questions related to hematologic TMEs and drug development. Given the need to develop personalized treatment platforms involving this technology, we review pharmaceutical drugs and different modes of immunotherapy for hematologic cancers, followed by key considerations for developing a physiologically relevant microfluidic companion diagnostic tool for mimicking different hematologic TMEs for testing with different drugs in clinical trials. Opportunities lie ahead for engineers to revolutionize conventional drug discovery strategies of hematologic cancers, including integrating cell-based microfluidics technology with machine learning and automation techniques, which may stimulate pharma and regulatory bodies to promote research and applications of microfluidics technology for drug development.

Application of microfluidic paper‐based analytical device ( μPAD ) to detect COVID ‐19 in energy deprived countries

“…Finally, the platform is used to demonstrate the ability to predict the endpoints (ie, sensitivity, selectivity, positive predictive value [PPV], and negative predictive value [NPV]) and clinical safety and efficacy of the platform. 23 To develop and translate a COVID-19 POC diagnostic for clinical use, support from industry to the academic is needed. Though, there exists a gap in the area of diagnostic tool development.…”

“… 23 Clinically equivalent biochemical solution quantity should be used as a response to predict the magnitude of the virus DNA and thus could be used to predict the severity of the disease. 23 The obtained data will further be processed by using automated image techniques. The predictive potential of the platform can be evaluated by comparing the obtained response data between patients and patient‐derived samples.…”

Microfluidic technologies for immunotherapy studies on solid tumours

“…4 By allowing greater control of fluid volumes, culture conditions, surface chemistry and stimuli exposure, the unique characteristics of the technology make microfluidics an ideal platform for the development and testing of immunotherapeutic agents. [5][6][7] Microfluidic technologies are often used to test anti-cancer therapies on liquid, 8,9 and solid tumours, such as spheroids, organoids 10 and tumour tissue slices. 11 They are also used to study immune cell behaviour, interaction and migration in a reconstructed tumour model, but have not been extensively used for efficacy studies of cancer immunotherapy.…”

Engineering Innovations for Fundamental Biology and Translational Medicine

“…In this special issue of SLAS Technology , we showcase reviews and original research reports addressing this technology demand for personalized medicine. The collection begins with two review articles 1,2 assessing the role of microfluidic technology in patient-specific information collection. The review by Chowdury et al 1 emphasize the importance of ex vivo hematologic tumor models, which are patient specific and physiologically relevant, and their applications in targeted drug discovery and clinical diagnostics.…”

“…The collection begins with two review articles 1,2 assessing the role of microfluidic technology in patient-specific information collection. The review by Chowdury et al 1 emphasize the importance of ex vivo hematologic tumor models, which are patient specific and physiologically relevant, and their applications in targeted drug discovery and clinical diagnostics. The review provides an overview of state-of-the-art cell-based microfluidic platforms, enabling greater spatial and temporal control over stimuli and microenvironmental factors.…”