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Microfluidic Tissue Array Platform for Personalized Drug Screening Using Tumor Explants or Biopsies

Ahmed, A. H. R.; Shao, H.; Colon-Cartega, L.; Wang, L.; Jiang, X.; Pareja, F.; Chandarlapaty, S.; Wang, S.

2026-07-09 cancer biology
10.64898/2026.07.01.735821 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Despite major improvements in molecular characterization of breast cancer, current biomarkers still fall short in accurate treatment prediction. Interrogating tumor tissue ex-vivo in its native conformation is a direct strategy for guiding treatment of individual patients but presents a challenge. In this study, we developed a microfluidic tissue array (FTA) using small biopsy samples (< 1mm3) mimicking physiological flow for consistent exchange of nutrients and waste, retaining the tumor native stroma. Cell/patient-derived breast cancer xenograft tissues were maintained over 2 weeks in the array and their response to therapeutic agents, doxorubicin or neratinib, were interrogated. Drug response in the uFTA showed >2-fold reduction in tumor cell viability which corroborated tumor size shrinkage in mice bearing the same tumor load. EdU/Ki67 assays indicated selective retention of cells with higher proliferative capacity after drug treatment, underscoring in vivo clinical relevance . We have also developed a valved-FTA to increase throughput and variety of treatment conditions on the same chip. Together, this FTA can be staged as a powerful, low-cost benchtop theranostic tool for personalized cancer therapeutics compatible with FDA New Approach Methods.

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