A microfluidic platform integrated with field-effect transistors for enumeration of circulating tumor cells in human blood

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are one of promising cancer biomarkers whose concentrations are measured not only in the initial diagnostic stages, but also as treatment progresses. However, the existing methods for CTC detection are relatively time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this study, a new microfluidic platform integrated with field-effect transistors (FETs) and chambers for the trapping of CTCs was developed. Not only could this novel design trap CTCs from whole blood samples, but it could also enumerate them via FET sensing of CTC-specific aptamer-CTC cell complexes. The FET output signal was experimentally found to increase with increasing number of captured CTCs. More importantly, the enumeration of spiked CTCs in blood samples could be achieved in accordance with the signals measured on the FET devices. We therefore believe that this automated system could be a useful tool for 1) early cancer diagnosis and 2) prognostic monitoring during treatment.