In Vivo Enrichment and Elimination of Circulating Tumor Cells by Using a Black Phosphorus and Antibody Functionalized Intravenous Catheter

Abstract

The circulating tumor cell (CTC) count is closely related to cancer recurrence and metastasis. The technology that can in vivo destroy CTCs may bring great benefits to patients, which is an urgent clinical demand. Here, a minimally invasive therapeutic intravenous catheter for in vivo enriching and photothermal killing of CTCs is developed. The surface of catheter is modified with anti‐EpCAM antibody and the interior is filled with black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs). CTCs in the peripheral blood are captured by the catheter continually with the aid of circulation. The captured CTCs are used for downstream analyses or in vivo eliminated by the near‐infrared (NIR) photothermal effect of BPNSs. A capture efficiency of 2.1% is obtained during the 5 min of treatment, and 100% of the captured CTCs are killed by following NIR light irradiation in both an in vitro closed‐loop circulation system and an in vivo rabbit model. This cost‐effective modality for lowering the CTCs burden can be a good supplement to traditional therapies, which holds great promise as an effective clinical intervention for cancer patients.

Circulating Tumor Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review and Critical Appraisal

“…However, the most effective therapy against CTCs would be their physical removal before they can migrate to other organs and produce metastases. The Viatar cancer dialysis system (Viatar CTC Solutions Inc., Lowell, MA, USA), the temporary indwelling intravascular CTC isolation system [ 126 ], the GILUPI CellCollector ® [ 127 ] or the black phosphorus and antibody-functionalized intravenous catheter [ 128 ] are different technologies designed for in vivo removal and destruction of EpCAM + CTCs [ 128 ]. Most of them were designed to allow the screening of a large volume of blood and they could be used as adjuvant therapies after surgical resection or locoregional ablation.…”

Metastasis Prevention: Focus on Metastatic Circulating Tumor Cells

“…In recent years, other methods were developed to eradicate CTCs. Minimally invasive therapeutic intravenous catheters with anti-EpCAM antibodies and interiors filled with black phosphorus nanosheets kill CTCs by photothermal effect [151]. Curcumin loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles and laser irradiation (λ = 447 nm, P = 100 mW) result in photodynamic inactivation of CTCs [152].…”

Relevance of Circulating Tumor Cells as Predictive Markers for Cancer Incidence and Relapse

“…The rarity of CTCs in circulation impedes their efficient isolation; however, the advent of novel technologies has enabled CTC isolation with high sensitivity and specificity at a higher yield, and more systems with FDA approval are anticipated in the coming years. One such promising approach is the intravenous collection of CTCs using indwelling catheter-based systems [41,43,44,224]. These technologies allow the interrogation of larger blood volumes compared to the routine phlebotomy specimens and require further validation and approval to facilitate their clinical use.…”