Bone Metastasis chip with micro-physiological circulation for cancer profiling (OSCAR)

In OSCAR, Erasmus MC and TU Eindhoven established a new public private partnership with AZAR Innovations and Dolomite Microfluidics to build an innovative new research tool that allows researchers to follow the cancer cells’ journey from the blood, through the bone marrow into stiffer bone areas.  

In 70 to 85% of patients with metastatic prostate or breast cancer, the cancer has spread to the bone, with major consequences for the patient's quality of life and prognosis. To find new therapy options, we need a better understanding of how cancer cells interact with the different cell types inside the bone and how this interplay eventually support new metastatic formation there. 

To this end, we have developed a research model that reflects the anatomy and physiology of human bone as faithfully as possible as to identify targets for the prevention and treatment of bone metastases. The 'bone metastasis chip' (OSCAR) consists of three small aligning channels that each simulate a blood vessel, the bone marrow and the bone tissue. As a technical feasibility study, a new recirculation system (CRIS) was designed, prototyped and tested to recirculate cancer cells to mimic the passage of cancer cells from the bloodstream to the bone. In multiple rounds of design changes and testing in the lab, the design and fabrication of the chip and recirculation system were constantly improved to optimize performance and experimental handling. Ultimately, we have successfully developed a generation of OSCAR chips with optimal performance and a promising recirculation CRIS prototype.  

By combining both systems, we are now able to study tumor cell behavior during the earliest stages of bone metastasis with great physiological accuracy. This research will provide insights and profile cancer cell mechanisms during bone metastasis formation to aid the development of new therapies for bone metastasis.