Microfluidic platform to examine tumor angiogenesis and metastasis at high spatiotemporal resolution

The process of cancer metastasis follows a complex cascade of events. Animal models, the conventional model of choice, have improved our understanding of metastasis, but they provide limited spatial and temporal resolution of cellular events, and are thus not suitable to understand microenvironmental stimuli. Using microtechnology and tissue engineering, we have developed a microfluidic platform that supports growth of tumor spheroids spatially separated, but in communication through controlled diffusion and convection, from vascular networks. In this study we have characterized interstitial flow patterns and morphogen distribution within the platform, and then demonstrated its utility by assessing the effect of interstitial flow and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gradients on angiogenesis. We found that vessel sprouting is independently influenced by interstitial flow and the VEGF spatial gradient.