Patent ID: 9389220
Filing Date: 2016-07-12
CPC Classification: C12N,G01N

Claim Text:
1. An in vitro assay system for identifying a candidate anti-cancer agent, the system comprising: (i) a first well having an interior volume defined by a bottom surface and at least one side wall extending from the bottom surface to an open upper end, the first well comprising: a liver cell layer that contains a test anti-cancer agent and is in direct contact with the bottom surface; one or more bone marrow cells adjacent the liver cell layer; and a volume of cell culture media; (ii) a removable insert suspended within the interior volume of the first well and immersed in the volume of cell culture media, the removable insert comprising: a lower surface comprising a semi-permeable membrane and at least one side wall extending from the lower surface to define an insert chamber; at least one tumor cell located in the insert chamber and expressing a detectable marker; and at least one stromal support cell located in the insert chamber; and (iii) a second well having an interior volume defined by a bottom surface and at least one side wall extending from the bottom surface to an open upper end, the second well comprising: a liver cell layer that is free of the test anti-cancer agent and is in direct contact with the bottom surface; one or more bone marrow cells adjacent the liver cell layer; and a volume of cell culture media; wherein in use a reduction in detectable signals from the tumor cells while viability of the bone marrow cells in the first well is maintained as compared to a control is indicative of a candidate anti-cancer agent.