Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Introduction: Our laboratory has developed a novel ex-vivo model based on patient-derived micro-dissected tissues (MDT) cultivated in microfluidic devices. While monitoring these tissues by confocal and flow cytometry is possible, each method presents disadvantages. Our goal was to define a method for formalin fixed paraffin-embedding (FFPE) MDTs within devices, and to do so in high-density MDT-arrays (MDTA). Methods and Results: We adapted standard FFPE techniques while conserving microfluidic tissue alignment in a high-density device. Preliminary results on tumor xenografts allowed us to produce acceptable fixed tissues that could be processed to produce 4 µm thick slices suitable for immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. These were used to monitor MDT viability (cleaved caspase-3 and Ki-67), epithelial components (anti-cytokeratin) and mouse-stromal infiltration (anti-mitochondria). These MDTs can be monitored over time for biological responses such as p65 nuclear translocation via TNF-alpha stimulator or response to chemotherapy. Conclusion and Relevance: Our aim is to implement a personalized medicine strategy, through biomarker and empirical testing, which identifies the most suitable drug regimen for a given patient. The proposed method will further this goal by allowing us to characterize the molecular response of cancerous cells in the presence of various therapeutic agents while conserving the natural tumor microenvironment.