Work

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

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

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 (μFTA) 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-μFTA to increase throughput and variety of treatment conditions on the same chip. Together, this μFTA can be staged as a powerful, low-cost benchtop theranostic tool for personalized cancer therapeutics compatible with FDA's New Approach Methods.

Source: bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

DOI: 10.64898/2026.07.01.735821