Predicting how breast tumors will respond to chemotherapy by testing sensitivity of tumor tissue outside the body

Project summary

There are many medicines for breast cancer, but how do you know which one will work best? After all, every tumor is different. Erasmus MC is investigating whether this can be predicted with a new tissue culture technique. 

Erasmus MC researchers have used previous KWF funding to develop a prototype ‘cancer on a chip’ (also known as ‘tumor on a chip’ or ‘organ on a chip’). This is a plastic device in which thin slices of tumor tissue from the patient can be grown and kept alive. The chips contain small microchannels through which culture fluid flows. By coating them with blood vessel wall cells, the natural situation can be simulated even better. It is also possible to add medicines. 

This research can lead to the development of advanced cancer-on-a-chip technology that can directly determine the best chemotherapy for each individual patient. This will lead to more healing and better quality of life.