Perspectives on liquid biopsy for label‐free detection of “circulating tumor cells” through intelligent lab‐on‐chips

Abstract

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are rare tumor cells released from primary, metastatic, or recurrent tumors in the peripheral blood of cancer patients. CTCs isolation from peripheral blood and their molecular characterization represent a new marker in cancer screening, a diagnostic tool called “liquid biopsy” (LB). Compared to traditional tissue biopsy that is invasive and does not reveal tumor heterogeneity, LB is noninvasive and reflects in “real‐time” tumor dynamism and drug sensitivity. In the frame of LB, a new paradigm based on single‐cell and label‐free analysis based on morphological analysis is emerging. Here, we review the latest research developments in this emerging vision of LB. In particular, we survey and discuss recent improvements in microfluidics, imaging label‐free diagnosis and cell classification by artificial intelligence and how to combine them to realize an intelligent platform based on lab‐on‐chip technology. This prospect appears to open up promising and intriguing new scenarios for cancer management through single‐cell analysis that will revolutionize the future of early cancer diagnosis and therapeutic choice with disruptive impact on the society.

Targeted Sub-Attomole Cancer Biomarker Detection Based on Phase Singularity 2D Nanomaterial-Enhanced Plasmonic Biosensor

“…However, traditional detection methods are usually time-consuming and require complex operations with adequate transducing elements such as fluorescent dyes or expensive enzymes [20]. Over these years, some cutting-edge technologies including electrochemical approaches [21] and microfluidic-based approaches [22] have been developed to enable more effective and sensitive cancer marker detection. More recently, several research groups have exploited mass spectrometry (MS) based on optimized nanoparticles as matrix materials to enable fast detection with high selectivity and sensitivity [23][24][25].…”

Sustainable Carbon Materials toward Emerging Applications

“…[ 175–177 ] Specifically, the classical carbon materials own high thermal/electrical conductivity and immense derivatization capability, [ 178,179 ] thus supporting molecule (e.g., peptide [ 180 ] ) and cell detection. [ 181,182 ] The carbon hybrid materials, that carbon materials are doped with other elements, display good biocompatibility, abundant catalytic sites and high thermal/chemical stability for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. [ 183 ]…”

Neuroblastoma Cells Classification Through Learning Approaches by Direct Analysis of Digital Holograms

“…Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that originate from primary tumors spread to the bloodstream and become the source of metastasis. The detection of CTCs has been shown to be of prognostic value in the evaluation of cancer progression and for the study of the mechanisms of resistance to treatment [21]. Current methods of enrichment and isolation of CTCs depend on specific tumor antigens for the recognition of tumor cells [21].…”

“…The detection of CTCs has been shown to be of prognostic value in the evaluation of cancer progression and for the study of the mechanisms of resistance to treatment [21]. Current methods of enrichment and isolation of CTCs depend on specific tumor antigens for the recognition of tumor cells [21]. Neuroblastoma has a high intra-tumor heterogeneity with different cells showing distinctive morphological and phenotypic profiles.…”