Work in Dr. Ogunwobi&#8217;s laboratory is supported by a Research Centers in Minority Institutions Program grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (MD007599) of the National Institutes of Health. The contents of this manuscript are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIMHD or the NIH.

Ethik Hinweise: Alle Tierversuche wurden von der Institutional Animal Care und Verwenden Committee (IACUC) des Hunter College der City University of New York zugelassen. 1. Pre-Experiment Procedures <ol><li> Nach der Ankunft in der Tierhaltung, zunächst beherbergen 3 BALB / c Mäusen mit einem Käfig mit einem gefilterten oben und Hackschnitzel Betten. Stellen Sie sicher, dass die Mäuse freien Zugang zu Nahrung, Purina Nagetierfutter und Wasser. Bettzeug und Lebensmittel sollte zweimal pro Woche gewechselt werden, während Käfige sollten einmal pro Woche gereinigt werden. </li><li> Induzieren Narkose bei Mäusen unter Verwendung eines Isofluran Verdampfer zusammen mit Sauerstoff mit einer konstanten Strömungsrate von 1 l pro min. Das System ist selbstständig und enthält eine Präzisions Vaporizer. </li><li> Position Tier in einer Kunststoff-Box, die die Genauigkeit Verdampfer und Gas / Narkosesystem mit ihm verbunden ist. Anfangs des Verdampfers eingestellt auf 2,5 bis Tier bewusstlos ist, an welchem ​​Punkt senken den Verdampfer bis 2. </li><li> Zu dieser Zeit wechseln dieVentilleitung, Abdichtung an die Box und an den Nasenkegel öffnen. </li><li> Bewegen Sie das Tier zum Vorbereitungsbereich, mit dem Nasenkegel ordnungsgemäß aufgestellt und angeschlossen (zur Aufrechterhaltung der Narkose). </li><li> Vorbereitung 5 x 10 6 BNL 1ME A.7R.1 Maus HCC-Zellen für die Implantation per Maus. BNL 1ME A.7R.1 sollte in Medium wachsen (10% hitzeinaktiviertem FBS, 1% Penicillin / Streptomycin und 2 mM L-Glutamin) Inkubation in einer Zellkulturschale bei 37 ° C in einem befeuchteten Inkubator mit Luft und 5% CO 2. </li><li> Mit einer Spritze mit einer 20 G Nadel, das Implantat 100 ul PBS, enthaltend 5 × 10 6 BNL 1ME A.7R.1 Mausleberkarzinomzellen in einen Lappen der Leber von Balb / c-Mäusen, die primären Tumoren zu erzeugen. Nach der Implantation, Haus die BALB / c Mäuse in einem Käfig mit den gleichen Haus Anforderungen vor der Implantation. </li><li> Bei der experimentellen Endpunkt, klinische Hinweise auf Leberzellkarzinom zu beobachten, wie signifikante Reduktion der KörperzustandTor (in der Regel nach 4 Wochen festgestellt). An diesem Punkt gibt es eine Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass die primäre Tumoren in der Leber entwickelt, während Metastasen in der Lunge gebildet haben. Danach beginnt das Verfahren der Isolierung und Vermehrung der zirkulierenden Tumorzellen. </li></ol> 2. Sammeln von Vollblut für die zirkulierenden Tumorzellisolation HINWEIS: ausreichend bereinigt den OP-Bereich und stellen Sie sicher, es ist übersichtlich gestaltet. Autoklaven alle chirurgischen Instrumenten oder genießen in einem Desinfektionsmittel nach Empfehlung des Herstellers <ol><li> Opfern Mäusen durch humane Sterbehilfe bei experimentellen Endpunkt (klinische Anzeichen einer Tumorentwicklung). Euthanasie von Mäusen sollte beinhalten CO 2 Ersticken. Beachten Sie die Maus richtig an Anästhesie zu bestätigen korrekt verteilt. Kohlendioxid sollte langsam in die Kammer über einen Zeitraum von 5 veröffentlicht werden - 10 min, was zu Atemstillstand. Folgen Sie durch intra Ausbluten und cervical Dislokation. 5 </li><li> Verwenden Sie eine 25 G Nadel in eine 1 ml Spritze für die Sammlung von Vollblut angebracht. Heparanize die Spritze mit 0,01 ml Heparin. Punktion der Haut sofort mit der Nadel schlechter als die xyphisternum bei ca. 45 ° -Winkel. Voran Nadel langsam, um das Herz zu durchstechen, und senken Sie dann den Winkel der Nadel. Stetig halten Sie die Nadel und Spritze in Position, und ziehen Sie 500 ul - 1000 &amp; mgr; l Vollblut aus dem Herzen. </li><li> Entfernen Sie die Spritze und Nadel und übertragen Sie das Blut in eine pre-markierten 1,5 ml pyrogenfreien Röhre. Zentrifugieren Sie das Vollblut in 1,5 ml pyrogenfreien Röhrchen gesammelt bei 1.167 xg für 5 min. HINWEIS: Die Zentrifugation trennt das Vollblut-Probe in drei Schichten: der Boden oder Hämatokrit Schicht aus roten Blutzellen, eine dünne Zwischenschicht aus buffy coat und einen oberen Plasmaschicht. </li><li> Entfernen Sie die Plasma sorgfältig durch Pipettieren und sammeln sie in einem separaten 1,5 ml pyrogenfreien Röhre für Fürther Experimente wie Nachweis von zellfreien Nukleinsäuren 7. </li><li> Für die Isolierung von zirkulierenden Tumorzellen (CTC), zur Erhebung der Buffy-Coat in einen separaten 1,5 ml pyrogenfreien Röhre in Vorbereitung auf roten Blutzellen (RBC) Lyse. Dies ist notwendig, um restliche RBCs in der Buffy-Coat-Schicht zu entfernen. </li></ol> 3. Rezept für Rotes Blutkörperchen (RBC) Lysepuffer <ol><li> Machen Sie einen 1 l-Lösung von RBC Lysispuffer. </li><li> Machen Sie ein 500 ml Ammoniumchlorid und 500 ml Tris. Dann mischen, um eine 1 l-Lösung von RBC Lysepuffers mit einer Endkonzentration von 155 mM Ammoniumchlorid und 10 mM Tris erstellen. </li><li> Puffern der Lösung auf einen pH-Wert von 7,5 auf. Bewahren Sie die RBC Lysispuffer bei +2 bis +8 ° C, und bringen auf RT unmittelbar vor der Verwendung. </li></ol> 4. RBC Lyse von Buffy Coat <ol><li> 1 ml RBC Lysepuffer dem sterilen pyrogenfreien 1,5 ml Röhrchen mit dem gesammelten Buffy-Coat. </li><li> Den Inhalt des Rohres durchUmdrehen mehrmals. Die gemischte Inhalt des Röhrchens für 5 min bei RT auf der Bank zu inkubieren. Zentrifugieren der gemischten Inhalt für 5 min bei 1.167 x g. </li><li> Nach der Zentrifugation wird eine weißliche Pellets erhalten werden. Entsorgen Sie die rötliche Überstand langsam und vorsichtig in 10% Bleichmittel ohne Unterbrechung zu dem Pellet. Wenn das Pellet nicht weißlich, erneut führen Sie die Schritte 3,1-3,5. Erhöhung der Inkubationszeit in RBC Lysepuffer 10-15 min kann ebenfalls hilfreich sein. </li><li> Entsorgen Sie die biologischen Abfall einmal Dekontamination von biologischen Abfällen in 10% Bleichmittel nach 24 Stunden abgeschlossen ist. </li></ol> 5. Vermehrung in Zellkultur HINWEIS: Die Tumorzellen werden in der Regel schnell wachsende Zellen weiße Blutkörperchen, die reichlich in der ursprünglichen Mischung von Zellen in die Schale überimpft werden. Nach wiederholter Wechsel des Mediums, und nachfolgende Passagen CTCs, werden alle weißen Blutzellen entfernt und eine relativ reine Population von CTCs bleibt. <ol><li> NachVerwerfen des Überstandes in 10% Bleichmittel, wäscht den weißlich Pellet in 1 ml phosphatgepufferter Kochsalzlösung (PBS) mindestens einmal und Resuspension in komplettem Kulturmedium zur Vermehrung in Zellkultur. </li><li> Einmal Waschen abgeschlossen ist, wird 1 ml der vollständigen BNL 1ME A.7R.1 Kulturmedium (10% hitzeinaktiviertem FBS, 1% Penicillin / Streptomycin und 2 mM L-Glutamin), um das Pellet und das Pellet in dem Kulturmedium. </li><li> Samen der resuspendiert Mischung von Zellen in einer Zellkulturschale. Inkubieren der Zellkulturschale bei 37 ° C in einem befeuchteten Inkubator mit Luft und 5% CO 2. </li><li> Ändern Sie den Zellkulturmedium alle zwei bis drei Tage. Nach fünf bis sieben Tagen wird CTCs zu der Zellkulturschale eingehalten und gestartet haben wuchernden. Diese Zellen lebensfähig über 25 Passagen und nach mehrmaligem Einfrieren und Auftauen Zyklen 5 bleibt. </li></ol> 6. Prüfung von Leberzellkarzinom zirkulierenden Tumorzelllinie <ol><li> Führen apolymerase Kettenreaktion (PCR) basierende Methode, um nur einen bestimmten DNA-Abschnitt des Maus-β-Globin-Gens zu verstärken, um zu bestätigen, dass der Roman gegründet CTC Zelllinien sind Maus-Zellen, wie das Original implantiert BNL 1ME A.7R.1 HCC Linie. Methode wurde ursprünglich beschrieben und Steube et al validiert. 5,8 </li><li> Zuführen Immunofärbung für den Hepatozyten-spezifischer Marker cAMP responsive element binding protein 3-like 3 (CREB3L3) unter Verwendung eines spezifischen Antikörpers. Dies wird diesen Roman gegründet CTCs sind in der Tat Hepatozyten wie das Original implantiert BNL 1ME A.7R.1 Zelllinie zu bestätigen. 5 </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Ashworth, T. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+case+of+cancer+in+which+cells+similar+to+those+in+the+tumors+were+seen+in+the+blood+after+death.">A case of cancer in which cells similar to those in the tumors were seen in the blood after death.</a> Australian Medical Journal. 1869, 146-147 (14).</li><li>van de Stolpe, A., den Toonder, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Circulating+Tumor+Cells:+What+Is+in+It+for+the+Patient?+A+Vision+towards+the+Future.">Circulating Tumor Cells: What Is in It for the Patient? A Vision towards the Future.</a> Cancers. 6, 1195-1207 (2014).</li><li>Sheng, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Capture,+release+and+culture+of+circulating+tumor+cells+from+pancreatic+cancer+patients+using+an+enhanced+mixing+chip.">Capture, release and culture of circulating tumor cells from pancreatic cancer patients using an enhanced mixing chip.</a> Lab on a chip. 14, 89-98 (2014).</li><li>George, T. J., Ogunwobi, O. O., Sheng, W., Fan, Z. H., Liu, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=&#34;Tissue+is+the+issue&#34;:+circulating+tumor+cells+in+pancreatic+cancer.">&#34;Tissue is the issue&#34;: circulating tumor cells in pancreatic cancer.</a> Journal of gastrointestinal cancer. , (2014).</li><li>Ogunwobi, O. O., Puszyk, W., Dong, H. J., Liu, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epigenetic+upregulation+of+HGF+and+c-Met+drives+metastasis+in+hepatocellular+carcinoma.">Epigenetic upregulation of HGF and c-Met drives metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma.</a> PloS one. 8, e63765 (2013).</li><li>Cheng, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transparent,+biocompatible+nanostructured+surfaces+for+cancer+cell+capture+and+culture.">Transparent, biocompatible nanostructured surfaces for cancer cell capture and culture.</a> International journal of nanomedicine. 9, 2569-2580 (2014).</li><li>Yu, M., Stott, S., Toner, M., Maheswaran, S., Haber, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Circulating+tumor+cells:+approaches+to+isolation+and+characterization.">Circulating tumor cells: approaches to isolation and characterization.</a> The Journal of cell biology. 192, 373-382 (2011).</li><li>Steube, K. G., Koelz, A. L., Drexler, H. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+and+verification+of+rodent+cell+lines+by+polymerase+chain+reaction.">Identification and verification of rodent cell lines by polymerase chain reaction.</a> Cytotechnology. 56, 49-56 (2008).</li><li>Pantel, K., Alix-Panabieres, C., Riethdorf, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cancer+micrometastases.">Cancer micrometastases.</a> Nature reviews. Clinical oncology. 6, 339-351 (2009).</li><li>Pantel, K., Brakenhoff, R. H., Brandt, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Detection,+clinical+relevance+and+specific+biological+properties+of+disseminating+tumour+cells.">Detection, clinical relevance and specific biological properties of disseminating tumour cells.</a> Nature reviews. Cancer. 8, 329-340 (2008).</li><li>Cristofanilli, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Circulating+tumor+cells,+disease+progression,+and+survival+in+metastatic+breast+cancer.">Circulating tumor cells, disease progression, and survival in metastatic breast cancer.</a> The New England journal of medicine. 351, 781-791 (2004).</li><li>De Giorgi, U., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Circulating+tumor+cells+and+bone+metastases+as+detected+by+FDG-PET/CT+in+patients+with+metastatic+breast+cancer.">Circulating tumor cells and bone metastases as detected by FDG-PET/CT in patients with metastatic breast cancer.</a> Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology / ESMO. 21, 33-39 (2010).</li><li>Eloubeidi, M. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endoscopic+ultrasound-guided+fine+needle+aspiration+biopsy+of+patients+with+suspected+pancreatic+cancer:+diagnostic+accuracy+and+acute+and+30-day+complications.">Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of patients with suspected pancreatic cancer: diagnostic accuracy and acute and 30-day complications.</a> The American journal of gastroenterology. 98, 2663-2668 (2003).</li><li>O'Toole, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assessment+of+complications+of+EUS-guided+fine-needle+aspiration.">Assessment of complications of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration.</a> Gastrointestinal endoscopy. 53, 470-474 (2001).</li></ol>

The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

In this study, how to isolate and propagate CTCs from the whole blood of a syngeneic mouse with HCC were described. The objective of this work is to enhance the ongoing studies of the mechanisms of cancer metastasis. 
A factor that contributes to the poor prognosis of many cancers is the lack of timely detection and consequent widespread dissemination of the malignancy3. CTCs originate from primary cancers and spread via the blood stream to distant organs. As such, CTCs are important in cancer metastasis and have potential for multiple clinical applications, such as for diagnosis3,9,10. This is supported by data from several clinical studies that have showed that CTCs have a strong correlation with the progression of the disease in various cancer types such as pancreatic, prostate and breast, among others3,11,12. Despite the fact that CTCs may be very useful for cancer diagnosis, isolating and characterizing CTCs are challenging because very few are present among billions of blood cells3,7.
A significance of isolating CTCs using our technique is that it provides a reproducible model which can be optimized for potential utility in a clinical setting. This may ultimately lead to the possibility of using this method to replace current biopsy procedures that are more invasive and associated with side effects3,13. Modifications of this method, such as peripheral intravenous blood collection, would be expected to utilize it in a clinical setting. Of course, it is acknowledged that isolating CTCs from humans is a much more challenging endeavor due to general low yield4,14. But, in many cases such as in pancreatic cancer, histo-pathologic or cytological validation using tissue biopsies is fruitless in spite of multiple invasive attempts4. Isolating CTCs has been described as &#8220;liquid biopsy&#8221; or &#8220;live biopsy&#8221; of a tumor which enables noninvasive cancer diagnosis and real-time monitoring of therapeutic response3. This methodology models the isolation of CTCs in a mouse model. Thus far, only one FDA- cleared assay, such as Veridex CellSearch System, has been approved to detect CTCs. In one study, this technology identified CTCs in only 11 of 26 patients. This system is associated with some inefficiency, limited purity and high cost4. Moreover, it lacks the important feature of being able to collect viable CTCs whether they are EpCAM-expressing or not for extensive analyses using multiple in vitro and in vivo methods.
An important feature of the described method is that it preserves the viability of the isolated CTCs3. Therefore, using this method allows for the subsequent extensive downstream analysis of both the molecular and functional characteristics of CTCs using a variety of techniques. 
In conclusion, a methodology for isolating and propagating CTCs that are viable and can be characterized molecularly and functionally is presented. There is potential that this method can be optimized for clinical applications.

The cancer research community has known of the existence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) since first being observed by Thomas Ashworth in 18691. Since then, CTCs have been shown to be important in tumor metastasis and disease progression2-5. Today, solid tumors are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. CTCs are rare cells that originate from primary tumors and travel through the blood stream to different organs of which only a small fraction ultimately develop into metastasis2-5. Notably, there is positive correlation between tumor size and CTC number3,4. 
An understanding of CTC biology can contribute to the search for targeted therapy. Furthermore, CTCs may have diagnostic applications. To achieve these potential clinical applications, one needs to overcome some current challenges to studying CTCs. One challenge is related to the fact that CTCs may be present as single cells or as clusters and they may even be able to change their phenotype in response to the blood microenvironment2. Moreover, detection can be very challenging, in part, due to the low count of CTCs (a few to hundreds per milliliter) among one billionhematologic cells per milliliterin the blood6. Nevertheless, in recent years, research into the potential clinical applications of CTCs from solid organ cancers has intensified.
Despite these efforts, the challenges of studying and understanding the role of CTCs persist due to the rarity of CTCs and the inadequacy of the technological tools currently available. Despite these challenges, the tremendous potential for clinical applications continues to be an incentive to pursue research into the role of CTCs in cancer metastasis.
We were recently successful in isolating and propagating in cell culture CTCs from an orthotopic syngeneic mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis5. The purpose of the current paper is to describe in detail all aspects of the successful methodology. The significance of this methodology lies in the fact that this approach may be modified in order to successfully isolate and propagate in culture human CTCs, thus enhancing the possibility of in vitro studies of CTC biology. 
There are multiple potential clinical applications for the use of CTCs. CTCs may be useful for prognosis, response monitoring, screening, dynamic monitoring of tumor molecular alterations, and personalized therapy4. Therefore, a better understanding of the biology of CTCs has high potential for clinical impact.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Heparin Sodium Salt 1G</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>89508-852</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BTX Tube Micro 1.5mL Clear NS</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>89511-254</td>
			<td>1.5mL&#160; pyrogen-free eppendorf Tubes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Needle Sterile Disp BD 25GX1IN</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>BD305125</td>
			<td>25G Needle</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Slp Tip SRNG 1ml 200 each per pack</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>BD309659</td>
			<td>1mL syringe tip</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe 1ml leur lok Pk 100</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>BD309628</td>
			<td>1 mL syringe</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>VWR Forceps Tissue 6</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>82027-446</td>
			<td>Forceps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cyromold intrm 15X15X5MM PK 100</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>25608-924</td>
			<td>Cyromold</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cryo-oct compund 4oz</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>25608-930</td>
			<td>Oct compound</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>VWR Slide sprfrst 25X75MM PK72</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>48311-703</td>
			<td>Slides</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>VWR Cover Glass #2 22X5oMM OZ</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>48-382-128</td>
			<td>Cover Glass</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>VWR Slide Box True North Fm Pu</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>89140-278</td>
			<td>Slide Box</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Super HT PAP Pen</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>89427-058</td>
			<td>PAP pen</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Water RNASe and DNAse free 2L</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>101454-204</td>
			<td>Nuclease Free Water</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Buffer Tris Ultra Pure Grade 500G</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>97061-796</td>
			<td>Tris Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ammonium Chloride ACS Grade 2&#160; 5KG</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>97062-048</td>
			<td>Ammonium Chloride Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Falcon Tissue Culture Dish 60 x 15mm Style polystyrene</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td align="right">353002</td>
			<td>Tissue Culture Dish</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Clorox&#174; Germicidal Bleach, Regular</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>89501-620</td>
			<td>Clorox Bleach</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS, 1X (Phosphate-Buffered Saline) without calcium &#38; magnesium (500mL)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fischer Scientific</td>
			<td>21-040-CV</td>
			<td>PBS, 1X</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM, 1X&#160; with 4.5 g/L glucose &#38; L-glutamine without sodium pyruvate</td>
			<td>Thermo Fischer Scientific</td>
			<td>10-017-CV</td>
			<td>DMEM 1X media for BNL 1ME A.7R.1 cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Seru8m</td>
			<td>Thermo Fischer Scientific</td>
			<td>35-010-CV</td>
			<td>FBS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin Streptomycin Solution, 100X</td>
			<td>Thermo Fischer Scientific</td>
			<td>30-002-Cl</td>
			<td>Penicillin Streptomycin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sorvall Biofuge pico</td>
			<td>Thermo Fischer Scientific</td>
			<td align="right">75002411</td>
			<td>13000rpm Centrifuge</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
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isolation and propagation of circulating tumor cells from a mouse cancer model

Cancer metastasis is the foremost cause of cancer-associated deaths. Recent studies have shown that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are important in cancer metastasis. Indeed, the number of CTCs correlates with tumor size. Here, a detailed description is provided of a methodology for isolation and propagation of CTCs from a syngeneic mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) which allows for downstream analysis of potentially important molecular mechanisms of solid organ tumor metastasis. This method is efficient and reproducible. It is a non-invasive technique and, therefore, has potential to replace the invasive biopsy of tissues from humans which may be associated with complications. Therefore, the method discussed here allows for the isolation and propagation of CTCs from whole blood samples such that they can be examined and characterized. This has potential for future adaptation for clinical applications such as diagnosis, and personalized targeted therapy.

Die hier beschriebene Methode hat gezeigt, dass CTC isoliert werden kann. Die Mäuse wurden auf humane Weise zu experimentellen Endpunkt euthanasiert. Der Prozess beteiligt Erstickung mit Kohlendioxid, intra-kardialen Ausbluten und Genickbruch. Ein Schema der wesentlichen Schritte des Verfahrens sind in Fig. 2 dargestellt ist Vollblutproben durch intrakardiale Ausbluten gesammelt wurden, unter Verwendung des oben beschriebenen Protokolls verarbeitet. Nach dem, wurde Zentrifugation verwendet, um die Buffy-Coat-Schicht, die mit dem RBC-Lyse unterzogen wurde, zu bestimmen. Dies wurde dann durch einen anderen Zentrifugationsschritt folgte, um eine weißliche, das Pellet in PBS gewaschen wurde, zu sammeln und in vollständigen Zellkulturmedium zur Vermehrung in Zellkultur resuspendiert. Ein Problem, die oben kommen kann ist, dass das erhaltene Pellet kann nicht klar, in Farbe sein. 15 min oder gegebenenfalls durch Ausführen es zusätzliche Male - Dieses Problem kann leicht durch Modifizieren der Inkubationszeit in RBC Lysepuffer durch Erhöhung auf 10 gelöst werden.Repräsentative Bilder von CTCs in Kultur vermehrt von drei verschiedenen Mäusen sind in 1 im Vergleich zu BNL 1ME A.7R.1 Zellen gezeigt. Schnelle Verbreitung und Morphologie werden dazu beitragen, wenn Zellen besiedelt sind CTC. Allerdings Verifikationstechniken wie PCR und Immunfärbung in den Schritten 5.1 - 5.2 sind erforderlich, um die Schaffung eines lebensfähigen CTC Linie zu bestätigen. <img alt="Abbildung 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/52861/52861fig1.jpg" /> Abbildung 1. Die Ausbreitung von zirkulierenden Tumorzellen (CTC) in Zellkultur von einem orthotopen Syngene Maus-Modell der Leberzellkarzinom Metastasen. Die Zellen wurden in 15 mm x 60 mm Zellkulturschalen in BNL 1ME A.7R.1 Kulturmedium vermehrt. Proliferierenden Tumorzellen eingehalten austeilen und werden aus drei verschiedenen Mäusen gezeigt. Tumorzellen wurden durch kontinuierliche Passagen lebensfähig blieben. Phasenkontrastbild der CTCOL1MEA081211, CTCOL1MEACTC082911 und CTCOLUF2419 wurden bei 40-facher Vergrößerung (Objektiv) im Vergleich zum BNL 1ME A.7R.1 Zellen (40-facher Vergrößerung) übernommen. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/52861/52861fig1large.jpg" target="_blank">Bitte klicken Sie hier, um eine größere Version dieser Figur zu sehen.</a> <img alt="Abbildung 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/52861/52861fig2.jpg" /> Abbildung 2. Schematische Darstellung der Vorgehensweise zur Isolierung und Propagierung von zirkulierenden Tumorzellen aus einer Maus-Cancer-System. Bei der klinischen Anzeichen einer Leberzellkarzinom wurde als signifikante Reduktion der Körperkondition beobachtet, Vollblut wurde von Mäusen gesammelt. Nach mehreren Zentrifugationen, RBC-Lyse und mehreren Waschschritten wurden die CTCs in Zellkulturschalen ausgesät Ausbreitung. Tumorzellproliferation wurde nach mehreren Tagen beobachtet. <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/52861/52861fig2large.jpg" target="_blank">Bitte klicken Sie er</a>erneut, um eine größere Version dieser Figur zu sehen.

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Isolation and Propagation of Circulating Tumor Cells from a Mouse Cancer Model

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been shown to play an important role in tumor metastasis. Here, a method for the isolation and propagation of CTCs from the whole blood of a syngeneic mouse tumor model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis is described.

Isolierung und Vermehrung von zirkulierenden Tumorzellen aus einer Maus Cancer

Cancer metastasis is the foremost cause of cancer-associated deaths. Recent studies have shown that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are important in cancer ...

isolation-propagation-circulating-tumor-cells-from-mouse-cancer

Nanyang Technological University

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

12.0K Aufrufe.  Hunter College of The City University of New York. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been shown to play an important role in tumor metastasis. Here, a method for the isolation and propagation of CTCs from the whole blood of a syngeneic mouse tumor model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis is described.

Serie: Isolation and Propagation of Circulating Tumor Cells from a Mouse Cancer Model

Multi-photon Imaging of Tumor Cell Invasion in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Loco-regional invasion of head and neck cancer is linked to metastatic risk and presents a difficult challenge in designing and implementing patient management strategies. Orthotopic mouse models of oral cancer have been developed to facilitate the study of factors that impact invasion and serve as model system for evaluating anti-tumor therapeutics. In these systems, visualization of disseminated tumor cells within oral cavity tissues has typically been conducted by either conventional histology or with in vivo bioluminescent methods. A primary drawback of these techniques is the inherent inability to accurately visualize and quantify early tumor cell invasion arising from the primary site in three dimensions. Here we describe a protocol that combines an established model for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (SCOT) with two-photon imaging to allow multi-vectorial visualization of lingual tumor spread. The OSC-19 head and neck tumor cell line was stably engineered to express the F-actin binding peptide LifeAct fused to the mCherry fluorescent protein (LifeAct-mCherry). Fox1nu/nu mice injected with these cells reliably form tumors that allow the tongue to be visualized by ex-vivo application of two-photon microscopy. This technique allows for the orthotopic visualization of the tumor mass and locally invading cells in excised tongues without disruption of the regional tumor microenvironment. In addition, this system allows for the quantification of tumor cell invasion by calculating distances that invaded cells move from the primary tumor site. Overall this procedure provides an enhanced model system for analyzing factors that contribute to SCOT invasion and therapeutic treatments tailored to prevent local invasion and distant metastatic spread. This method also has the potential to be ultimately combined with other imaging modalities in an in vivo setting.

A comprehensive overview of the techniques involved in generating a mouse model of oral cancer and quantitative monitoring of tumor invasion within the tongue through multi-photon microscopy of labeled cells is presented. This system can serve as a useful platform for the molecular assessment and drug efficacy of anti-invasive compounds.

Multi-Photonen-Imaging der Tumorzellinvasion in einem orthotopen Mausmodell des oralen Plattenepithelkarzinoms

Loco-regional invasion of head and neck cancer is linked to metastatic risk and presents a difficult challenge in designing and implementing patient ...

Forschung

Medizin

In vivo Bioluminescence Imaging of Tumor Hypoxia Dynamics of Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis in a Mouse Model

It is well recognized that tumor hypoxia plays an important role in promoting malignant progression and affecting therapeutic response negatively. There is little knowledge about in situ, in vivo, tumor hypoxia during intracranial development of malignant brain tumors because of lack of efficient means to monitor it in these deep-seated orthotopic tumors. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI), based on the detection of light emitted by living cells expressing a luciferase gene, has been rapidly adopted for cancer research, in particular, to evaluate tumor growth or tumor size changes in response to treatment in preclinical animal studies. Moreover, by expressing a reporter gene under the control of a promoter sequence, the specific gene expression can be monitored non-invasively by BLI. Under hypoxic stress, signaling responses are mediated mainly via the hypoxia inducible factor-1&alpha; (HIF-1&alpha;) to drive transcription of various genes. Therefore, we have used a HIF-1&alpha; reporter construct, 5HRE-ODD-luc, stably transfected into human breast cancer MDA-MB231 cells (MDA-MB231/5HRE-ODD-luc). In vitro HIF-1&alpha; bioluminescence assay is performed by incubating the transfected cells in a hypoxic chamber (0.1% O2) for 24 hr before BLI, while the cells in normoxia (21% O2) serve as a control. Significantly higher photon flux observed for the cells under hypoxia suggests an increased HIF-1&alpha; binding to its promoter (HRE elements), as compared to those in normoxia. Cells are injected directly into the mouse brain to establish a breast cancer brain metastasis model. In vivo bioluminescence imaging of tumor hypoxia dynamics is initiated 2 wks after implantation and repeated once a week. BLI reveals increasing light signals from the brain as the tumor progresses, indicating increased intracranial tumor hypoxia. Histological and immunohistochemical studies are used to confirm the in vivo imaging results. Here, we will introduce approaches of in vitro HIF-1&alpha; bioluminescence assay, surgical establishment of a breast cancer brain metastasis in a nude mouse and application of in vivo bioluminescence imaging to monitor intracranial tumor hypoxia.

In vivo Bioluminescence Imaging of Tumor Hypoxia Dynamics of Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis in a Mouse Model

Bioluminescence imaging of hypoxia inducible factor-1&alpha; activity is applied to monitor intracranial tumor hypoxia development in a breast cancer brain metastasis mouse model.

In-vivo-Biolumineszenz-Bildgebung von Tumorhypoxie Dynamics of Breast Cancer Hirnmetastasen in einem Mausmodell

It is well recognized that tumor hypoxia plays an important role in promoting malignant progression and affecting therapeutic response negatively. There ...

Combination Radiotherapy in an Orthotopic Mouse Brain Tumor Model

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are the most common and aggressive adult primary brain tumors1. In recent years there has been substantial progress in the understanding of the mechanics of tumor invasion, and direct intracerebral inoculation of tumor provides the opportunity of observing the invasive process in a physiologically appropriate environment2. As far as human brain tumors are concerned, the orthotopic models currently available are established either by stereotaxic injection of cell suspensions or implantation of a solid piece of tumor through a complicated craniotomy procedure3. In our technique we harvest cells from tissue culture to create a cell suspension used to implant directly into the brain. The duration of the surgery is approximately 30 minutes, and as the mouse needs to be in a constant surgical plane, an injectable anesthetic is used. The mouse is placed in a stereotaxic jig made by Stoetling (figure 1). After the surgical area is cleaned and prepared, an incision is made; and the bregma is located to determine the location of the craniotomy. The location of the craniotomy is 2 mm to the right and 1 mm rostral to the bregma. The depth is 3 mm from the surface of the skull, and cells are injected at a rate of 2 &mu;l every 2 minutes. The skin is sutured with 5-0 PDS, and the mouse is allowed to wake up on a heating pad. From our experience, depending on the cell line, treatment can take place from 7-10 days after surgery. Drug delivery is dependent on the drug composition. For radiation treatment the mice are anesthetized, and put into a custom made jig. Lead covers the mouse's body and exposes only the brain of the mouse. The study of tumorigenesis and the evaluation of new therapies for GBM require accurate and reproducible brain tumor animal models. Thus we use this orthotopic brain model to study the interaction of the microenvironment of the brain and the tumor, to test the effectiveness of different therapeutic agents with and without radiation.

The purpose of this article is to describe the use of an orthotopic glioblastoma model for chemoradiation studies. This article will go though cell processing, implanting, and radiotherapy of the mouse using an intracranial model.

Kombination Strahlentherapie in einem orthotopen Maus Brain Tumor-Modell

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are the most common and aggressive adult primary brain tumors1. In recent years there has been substantial progress in the ...

Screening for Melanoma Modifiers using a Zebrafish Autochthonous Tumor Model

Genomic studies of human cancers have yielded a wealth of information about genes that are altered in tumors1,2,3. A challenge arising from these studies is that many genes are altered, and it can be difficult to distinguish genetic alterations that drove tumorigenesis from that those arose incidentally during transformation. To draw this distinction it is beneficial to have an assay that can quantitatively measure the effect of an altered gene on tumor initiation and other processes that enable tumors to persist and disseminate. Here we present a rapid means to screen large numbers of candidate melanoma modifiers in zebrafish using an autochthonous tumor model4 that encompasses steps required for melanoma initiation and maintenance. A key reagent in this assay is the miniCoopR vector, which couples a wild-type copy of the mitfa melanocyte specification factor to a Gateway recombination cassette into which candidate melanoma genes can be recombined5. The miniCoopR vector has a mitfa rescuing minigene which contains the promoter, open reading frame and 3'-untranslated region of the wild-type mitfa gene. It allows us to make constructs using full-length open reading frames of candidate melanoma modifiers. These individual clones can then be injected into single cell Tg(mitfa:BRAFV600E);p53(lf);mitfa(lf)zebrafish embryos. The miniCoopR vector gets integrated by Tol2-mediated transgenesis6 and rescues melanocytes. Because they are physically coupled to the mitfa rescuing minigene, candidate genes are expressed in rescued melanocytes, some of which will transform and develop into tumors. The effect of a candidate gene on melanoma initiation and melanoma cell properties can be measured using melanoma-free survival curves, invasion assays, antibody staining and transplantation assays.

A rapid way to screen for melanoma modifiers using a zebrafish autochthonous tumor model is presented. It takes advantage of the miniCoopR vector which allows for expression of candidate melanoma genes in melanocytes. A method to obtain melanoma-free survival curves, an invasion assay, a protocol for antibody staining of scale melanocytes and a melanoma transplantation assay are described.

Screening für Melanom Modifiers mit einem Zebrafisch Autochthone Tumormodell

Genomic studies of  human cancers have yielded a wealth of information about genes that are altered  in tumors1,2,3. A challenge arising from these ...

Live Imaging of Drug Responses in the Tumor Microenvironment in Mouse Models of Breast Cancer

The tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and the response to anti-cancer therapies. Three-dimensional co-culture systems are frequently used to explicate tumor-stroma interactions, including their role in drug responses. However, many of the interactions that occur in vivo in the intact microenvironment cannot be completely replicated in these in vitro settings. Thus, direct visualization of these processes in real-time has become an important tool in understanding tumor responses to therapies and identifying the interactions between cancer cells and the stroma that can influence these responses. Here we provide a method for using spinning disk confocal microscopy of live, anesthetized mice to directly observe drug distribution, cancer cell responses and changes in tumor-stroma interactions following administration of systemic therapy in breast cancer models. We describe procedures for labeling different tumor components, treatment of animals for observing therapeutic responses, and the surgical procedure for exposing tumor tissues for imaging up to 40 hours. The results obtained from this protocol are time-lapse movies, in which such processes as drug infiltration, cancer cell death and stromal cell migration can be evaluated using image analysis software.

We describe a method for imaging response to anti-cancer treatment in vivo and at single cell resolution.

Live-Imaging of Drug Responses in der Tumor-Mikroumgebung in Mausmodellen von Brustkrebs

The tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and the response to anti-cancer therapies. Three-dimensional ...

Patient Derived Cell Culture and Isolation of CD133+ Putative Cancer Stem Cells from Melanoma

Despite improved treatments options for melanoma available today, patients with advanced malignant melanoma still have a poor prognosis for progression-free and overall survival. Therefore, translational research needs to provide further molecular evidence to improve targeted therapies for malignant melanomas. In the past, oncogenic mechanisms related to melanoma were extensively studied in established cell lines. On the way to more personalized treatment regimens based on individual genetic profiles, we propose to use patient-derived cell lines instead of generic cell lines. Together with high quality clinical data, especially on patient follow-up, these cells will be instrumental to better understand the molecular mechanisms behind melanoma progression.
Here, we report the establishment of primary melanoma cultures from dissected fresh tumor tissue. This procedure includes mincing and dissociation of the tissue into single cells, removal of contaminations with erythrocytes and fibroblasts as well as primary culture and reliable verification of the cells' melanoma origin.
Recent reports revealed that melanomas, like the majority of tumors, harbor a small subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which seem to exclusively fuel tumor initiation and progression towards the metastatic state. One of the key markers for CSC identification and isolation in melanoma is CD133. To isolate CD133+ CSCs from primary melanoma cultures, we have modified and optimized the Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) procedure from Miltenyi resulting in high sorting purity and viability of CD133+ CSCs and CD133- bulk, which can be cultivated and functionally analyzed thereafter.

Patient Derived Cell Culture and Isolation of CD133+ Putative Cancer Stem Cells from Melanoma

This article describes the preparation of freshly obtained melanoma tissue into primary cell cultures, and how to remove contaminations of erythrocytes and fibroblasts from the tumor cells. Finally, we describe how CD133+ putative melanoma stem cells are sorted from the CD133- bulk using Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS).

Patienten abgeleitet Zellkultur und Isolierung von CD133<sup&gt; +</sup&gt; Mutmaßliche Cancer Stem Cells von Melanoma

Despite improved treatments options for melanoma available today, patients with advanced malignant melanoma still have a poor prognosis for ...

Adaptation of Semiautomated Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Assays for Clinical and Preclinical Research Applications

The majority of cancer-related deaths occur subsequent to the development of metastatic disease. This highly lethal disease stage is associated with the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). These rare cells have been demonstrated to be of clinical significance in metastatic breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. The current gold standard in clinical CTC detection and enumeration is the FDA-cleared CellSearch system (CSS). This manuscript outlines the standard protocol utilized by this platform as well as two&#160;additional adapted protocols that describe the detailed process of user-defined marker optimization for protein characterization of patient CTCs and a comparable protocol for CTC capture in very low volumes of blood, using standard CSS reagents, for studying in vivo preclinical mouse models of metastasis. In addition, differences in CTC quality between healthy donor blood spiked with cells from tissue culture versus patient blood samples are highlighted. Finally, several commonly discrepant items that can lead to CTC misclassification errors are outlined. Taken together, these protocols will provide a useful resource for users of this platform interested in preclinical and clinical research pertaining to metastasis and CTCs.

Adaptation of Semiautomated Circulating Tumor Cell CTC Assays for Clinical and Preclinical Research Applications

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are prognostic in several metastatic cancers. This manuscript describes the gold standard CellSearch system (CSS) CTC enumeration platform and highlights common misclassification errors. In addition, two&#160;adapted protocols are described for user-defined marker characterization of CTCs and CTC enumeration in preclinical mouse models of metastasis using this technology.

Halbautomatische Anpassung der Umlauftumorzellen (CTC)-Assays für die klinische und vorklinische Forschungsanwendungen

The majority of cancer-related deaths occur subsequent to the development of metastatic disease. This highly lethal disease stage is associated with the ...

Isolation of Cancer Stem Cells From Human Prostate Cancer Samples

The cancer stem cell (CSC) model has been considerably revisited over the last two decades. During this time CSCs have been identified and directly isolated from human tissues and serially propagated in immunodeficient mice, typically through antibody labeling of subpopulations of cells and fractionation by flow cytometry. However, the unique clinical features of prostate cancer have considerably limited the study of prostate CSCs from fresh human tumor samples. We recently reported the isolation of prostate CSCs directly from human tissues by virtue of their HLA class I (HLAI)-negative phenotype. Prostate cancer cells are harvested from surgical specimens and mechanically dissociated. A cell suspension is generated and labeled with fluorescently conjugated HLAI and stromal antibodies. Subpopulations of HLAI-negative cells are finally isolated using a flow cytometer. The principal limitation of this protocol is the frequently microscopic and multifocal nature of primary cancer in prostatectomy specimens. Nonetheless, isolated live prostate CSCs are suitable for molecular characterization and functional validation by transplantation in immunodeficient mice.

The isolation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) directly from human tissues is requisite for their biological characterization. This manuscript describes a methodology for the isolation of prostate CSCs from human tissues, while also providing tips on troubleshooting difficult steps.

Isolierung von Krebs Stammzellen aus menschlichen Prostatakrebs-Proben

The cancer stem cell (CSC) model has been considerably revisited over the last two decades. During this time CSCs have been identified and directly ...

In vitro Method to Observe E-selectin-mediated Interactions Between Prostate Circulating Tumor Cells Derived From Patients and Human Endothelial Cells

Metastasis is a process in which tumor cells shed from the primary tumor intravasate blood vascular and lymphatic system, thereby, gaining access to extravasate and form a secondary niche.&#160;The extravasation of tumor cells from the blood vascular system can be studied using endothelial cells (ECs) and tumor cells obtained from different cell lines.&#160;Initial studies were conducted using static conditions but it has been well documented that ECs behave differently under physiological flow conditions.&#160;Therefore, different flow chamber assemblies are currently being used to studying cancer cell interactions with ECs.&#160;Current flow chamber assemblies offer reproducible results using either different cell lines or fluid at different shear stress conditions.&#160;However, to observe and study interactions with rare cells such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), certain changes are required to be made to the conventional flow chamber assembly.&#160;CTCs are a rare cell population among millions of blood cells. Consequently, it is difficult to obtain a pure population of CTCs.&#160;Contamination of CTCs with different types of cells normally found in the circulation is inevitable using present enrichment or depletion techniques.&#160;In the present report, we describe a unique method to fluorescently label circulating prostate cancer cells and study their interactions with ECs in a self-assembled flow chamber system.&#160;This technique can be further applied to observe interactions between prostate CTCs and any protein of interest.

In vitro Method to Observe E-selectin-mediated Interactions Between Prostate Circulating Tumor Cells Derived From Patients and Human Endothelial Cells

Our report describes a unique method to visualize and analyze CTC/EC interactions in prostate cancer under physiological flow conditions.

In-vitro-Methode zur E-Selektin-vermittelte Interaktionen zwischen Prostata zirkulierenden Tumorzellen, abgeleitet von Patienten und humanen Endothelzellen beachten

Metastasis is a process in which tumor cells shed from the primary tumor intravasate blood vascular and lymphatic system, thereby, gaining access to ...

Molecular Profiling of the Invasive Tumor Microenvironment in a 3-Dimensional Model of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Ex vivo Fibroblasts

Invading colorectal cancer (CRC) cells have acquired the capacity to break free from their sister cells, infiltrate the stroma, and remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM). Characterizing the biology of this phenotypically distinct group of cells could substantially improve our understanding of early events during the metastatic cascade.

Tumor invasion is a dynamic process facilitated by bidirectional interactions between malignant epithelium and the cancer associated stroma. In order to examine cell-specific responses at the tumor stroma-interface we have combined organotypic co-culture and laser micro-dissection techniques.
Organotypic models, in which key stromal constituents such as fibroblasts are 3-dimentioanally co-cultured with cancer epithelial cells, are highly manipulatable experimental tools which enable invasion and cancer-stroma interactions to be studied in near-physiological conditions.

Laser microdissection (LMD) is a technique which entails the surgical dissection and extraction of the various strata within tumor tissue, with micron level precision.
By combining these techniques with genomic, transcriptomic and epigenetic profiling we aim to develop a deeper understanding of the molecular characteristics of invading tumor cells and surrounding stromal tissue, and in doing so potentially reveal novel biomarkers and opportunities for drug development in CRC.&#160;&#160;&#160;

Molecular Profiling of the Invasive Tumor Microenvironment in a 3-Dimensional Model of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Ex vivo Fibroblasts

Molecular profiling of laser microdissected cells and stroma from synthetic, tissue-engineered colorectal cancer models represents a novel and manipulatable approach to characterize and dissect the distinctive biology at the interface between tumor cells at the invasive front and cancer associated stromal cells. &#160;

Molecular Profiling von der invasiven Tumor-Microenvironment in einem 3-Dimensional Model of Colorectal Cancer Cells und<em&gt; Ex-vivo-</em&gt; Fibroblasten