Capture and release of cancer cells using electrospun etchable MnO2 nanofibers integrated in microchannels.

This paper introduces a cancer cell capture/release microchip based on the self-sacrificed MnO₂ nanofibers. Through electrospinning, lift-off and soft-lithography procedures, MnO₂ nanofibers are tactfully fabricated in microchannels to implement enrichment and release of cancer cells in liquid samples. The MnO₂ nanofiber net which mimics the extra cellular matrix can lead to high capture ability with the help of a cancer cell-specific antibody bio-conjugation. Subsequently, an effective and friendly release method is carried out by using low concentration of oxalic acid to dissolve the MnO₂ nanofiber substrate while keeping high viability of those released cancer cells at the same time. It is conceivable that our microchip may have potentials in realizing biomedical analysis of circulating tumor cells for biological and clinical researches in oncology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]