New Platform Speeds Up Cancer Metastasis Research: Rice University
Rice University unveils a platform to streamline cancer metastasis research.
Top Summary
- What happened: Rice University bioengineers developed ATLAS, a new platform for generating cancer cell clusters to study metastasis.
- Why it matters: Metastasis is poorly understood, and this platform provides a more efficient and cost-effective way to recreate conditions for study.
- What changes for people: Faster research could lead to new drug targets, potentially preventing metastasis, especially in prostate cancer.
- Who is affected: Cancer researchers, patients with metastatic cancers, particularly prostate cancer, and pharmaceutical companies.
A Breakthrough in Metastasis Research
Metastasis, the spread of cancer, remains a significant challenge for researchers due to difficulties in recreating realistic conditions in the lab.
Now, bioengineers at Rice University have introduced the Advanced Tumor Landscape Analysis System (ATLAS), a new platform designed to address this issue.
ATLAS: Streamlining Cancer Cell Cluster Generation
ATLAS facilitates the generation of large quantities of cancer cell clusters, accurately modeling those involved in metastasis.
This new platform builds on earlier work using superhydrophobic surfaces to encourage cells to clump together.
"Metastasis is still poorly understood because adequate laboratory techniques to recreate this complex process are lacking," said Michael King, Rice's E.D. Butcher Professor of Bioengineering.
3D-Printed Microwells for Efficient Production
ATLAS uses 3D-printed microwell arrays treated to mimic the water-repelling effect found in nature, like on a lotus leaf.
Alexandria Carter, a doctoral student in the King lab, explained that this is achieved by creating a rough surface on a nanoscale level and coating it with a nonwetting substance.
"Here, we achieved this for the first time through 3D printing, which means the method is scalable and easily adoptable by other labs," said Carter.
Insights into Cancer Cell Survival
The team used ATLAS to create clusters of prostate cancer cells, including those with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).
Testing revealed that cancer clusters are more likely to survive when traveling in groups, especially with CAFs present.
These support cells actively help cancer cells withstand the stresses of circulation and continue to grow.
Potential for New Drug Targets
The research not only introduces a new method but also reports new biological results.
"One of the most exciting elements of our paper is that it does not just report on a new experimental method for other researchers to use, but it also reports new fundamental biological results," Carter said.
The researchers suggest that future prostate cancer drugs could target these CAF escorts to prevent metastasis.
Commercialization and Innovation
Carter is working on establishing a startup company called Bionostic to commercialize ATLAS, supported by Rice's Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie).
Kyle Judah, Lilie executive director, emphasized Carter’s passion and commitment to bringing this research to reality.
ATLAS promises to make research more accessible and practical.
"ATLAS makes it easier to study one of the most dangerous aspects of cancer," King said.
What to Watch Next
Future research will focus on refining the ATLAS platform and exploring its applications to other cancer types.
The development of CAF-targeting drugs will be a key area of interest following this discovery.