Electrokinetic Manipulation for Characterization and Capture of Circulating Tumor Cells

We describe dielectrophoretic manipulation of circulating tumor cells in hybrid DEP-immunocapture GEDI devices.  Here, the difference in membrane capacitance between epithelial cells and hematological cells allows dielectrophoresis to be used to attract cancer cells to antibody-functionalized walls and reject contaminating leukocytes.  Cell characterization and system design is informed by electrorotation studies of cancer cells, especially before, during, and after periods of vesicle shedding.  Results are presented for prostate and pancreatic cancer cells.