DEVELOPMENT OF CANCER TRAP FOR CAPTURING CANCER CELLS THAT METASTASIZE IN THE PERITONEAL CAVITY: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Abstract

Our laboratory has recently developed an implantable device - cancer trap that can recruit and trap circulating cancer cells inside the bloodstream. Since several types of cancer cells can metastasize inside the peritoneal cavity, this study explores the possibility of using cancer traps to recruit esophageal and prostate cancer cells inside the peritoneum. Using prostate cancer and esophageal cancer cells as model cancers, this thesis shows that cancer traps can capture cancer cells inside the peritoneal space. EPO releasing traps was also shown to reduce the spread of prostate cancer as well as esophageal cancer compared to controls. Using multiple cancer traps was found to continuously recruit cancer cells with histology results showing that cells are more concentrated on the periphery of the implant with good penetration to the center of the implant. The results of this work lend strong support to the development of cancer traps for capturing cancer cells inside the peritoneum. However, further studies are needed with larger number of animal and improved cell quantification methods. In conclusion, this thesis has identified several critical conditions and directions for the development of peritoneal cancer traps.