Sensitizing drug-resistant cancer cells from blood using microfluidic electroporator

Diagnostic use of circulating cells and sub-cellular bio-particles

In the bloodstream or other physiological fluids, "circulating cells and sub-cellular bio-particles" include many microscopic biological elements such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), exosomes, microRNAs, platelets, immune cells, and proteins are the most well-known and investigated. These structures are crucial biomarkers in healthcare and medical research for the early detection of cancer and other disorders, enabling treatment to commence before the onset of clinical symptoms and enhancing the efficacy of treatments. As the size of these biomarkers to be detected decreases and their numbers in body fluids diminishes, the detection materials, ranging from visual inspection to advanced microscopy techniques, begin to become smaller, more sensitive, faster, and more effective, thanks to developing nanotechnology. This review first defines the circulating cells and subcellular bio-particles with their biological, physical, and mechanical properties and second focuses on their diagnostic importance, including their most recent applications as biomarkers, the biosensors that are utilized to detect them, the present obstacles that must be surmounted, and prospective developments in the domain. As technology advances and biomolecular pathways are deepens, diagnostic tests will become more sensitive, specific, and thorough. Finally, integrating recent advances in the diagnostic use of circulating cells and bioparticles into clinical practice is promising for precision medicine and patient outcomes.

Autophagy-related mechanisms for treatment of multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a type of hematological cancer that occurs when B cells become malignant. Various drugs such as proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators, and compounds that cause DNA damage can be used in the treatment of MM. Autophagy, a type 2 cell death mechanism, plays a crucial role in determining the fate of B cells, either promoting their survival or inducing cell death. Therefore, autophagy can either facilitate the progression or hinder the treatment of MM disease. In this review, autophagy mechanisms that may be effective in MM cells were covered and evaluated within the contexts of unfolded protein response (UPR), bone marrow microenvironment (BMME), drug resistance, hypoxia, DNA repair and transcriptional regulation, and apoptosis. The genes that are effective in each mechanism and research efforts on this subject were discussed in detail. Signaling pathways targeted by new drugs to benefit from autophagy in MM disease were covered. The efficacy of drugs that regulate autophagy in MM was examined, and clinical trials on this subject were included. Consequently, among the autophagy mechanisms that are effective in MM, the most suitable ones to be used in the treatment were expressed. The importance of 3D models and microfluidic systems for the discovery of new drugs for autophagy and personalized treatment was emphasized. Ultimately, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of MM disease, encompassing autophagy mechanisms, drugs, clinical studies, and further studies.

Review on Bortezomib Resistance in Multiple Myeloma and Potential Role of Emerging Technologies

Multiple myeloma is a hematological cancer type. For its treatment, Bortezomib has been widely used. However, drug resistance to this effective chemotherapeutic has been developed for various reasons. 2D cell cultures and animal models have failed to understand the MM disease and Bortezomib resistance. It is therefore essential to utilize new technologies to reveal a complete molecular profile of the disease. In this review, we in-depth examined the possible molecular mechanisms that cause Bortezomib resistance and specifically addressed MM and Bortezomib resistance. Moreover, we also included the use of nanoparticles, 3D culture methods, microfluidics, and organ-on-chip devices in multiple myeloma. We also discussed whether the emerging technology offers the necessary tools to understand and prevent Bortezomib resistance in multiple myeloma. Despite the ongoing research activities on MM, the related studies cannot provide a complete summary of MM. Nanoparticle and 3D culturing have been frequently used to understand MM disease and Bortezomib resistance. However, the number of microfluidic devices for this application is insufficient. By combining siRNA/miRNA technologies with microfluidic devices, a complete molecular genetic profile of MM disease could be revealed. Microfluidic chips should be used clinically in personal therapy and point-of-care applications. At least with Bortezomib microneedles, it could be ensured that MM patients can go through the treatment process more painlessly. This way, MM can be switched to the curable cancer type list, and Bortezomib can be targeted for its treatment with fewer side effects.

Device Processing Challenges for Miniaturized Sensing Systems Targeting Biological Fluids

This article presents a review of device processing technologies used in the fabrication of biomedical systems, and highlights the requirements of advanced manufacturing technology. We focus on biomedical systems that perform diagnostics of fluidic specimens, with analytes that are in the liquid phase. In the introduction, we define biomedical systems as well as their versatile applications and the essential current trends. The paper gives an overview of the most important biomolecules that typically must be detected or analyzed in several applications. The paper is structured as follows. First, the conventional architecture and construction of a biosensing system is introduced. We provide an overview of the most common biosensing methods that are currently used for the detection of biomolecules and its analysis. We present an overview of reported biochips, and explain the technology of biofunctionalization and detection principles, including their corresponding advantages and disadvantages. Next, we introduce microfluidics as a method for delivery of the specimen to the biochip sensing area. A special focus lies on material requirements and on manufacturing technology for fabricating microfluidic systems, both for niche and mass-scale production segments. We formulate requirements and constraints for integrating the biochips and microfluidic systems. The possible impacts of the conventional microassembly techniques and processing methods on the entire biomedical system and its specific parts are also described. On that basis, we explain the need for alternative microassembly technologies to enable the integration of biochips and microfluidic systems into fully functional systems.

Recent Advances in Microscale Electroporation

Electroporation (EP) is a commonly used strategy to increase cell permeability for intracellular cargo delivery or irreversible cell membrane disruption using electric fields. In recent years, EP performance has been improved by shrinking electrodes and device structures to the microscale. Integration with microfluidics has led to the design of devices performing static EP, where cells are fixed in a defined region, or continuous EP, where cells constantly pass through the device. Each device type performs superior to conventional, macroscale EP devices while providing additional advantages in precision manipulation (static EP) and increased throughput (continuous EP). Microscale EP is gentle on cells and has enabled more sensitive assaying of cells with novel applications. In this Review, we present the physical principles of microscale EP devices and examine design trends in recent years. In addition, we discuss the use of reversible and irreversible EP in the development of therapeutics and analysis of intracellular contents, among other noteworthy applications. This Review aims to inform and encourage scientists and engineers to expand the use of efficient and versatile microscale EP technologies.