Patent ID: 6448030
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for predicting the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs on cells wherein both the cytotoxic and anti-migratory effects of the drug are measured, comprising the steps of:a. disaggregating a biopsy specimen into individual cells to form a cell suspension; b. exposing said cells in said suspension to said anti-cancer drug; c. adding said exposed cells to the first chamber of a migration plate comprising two chambers separated by a porous membrane, said porous membrane being opaque to radiation; d. placing a chemical agent in the second chamber, said agent being capable of inducing migration of said cells from said first chamber to said second chamber; e. incubating cells to allow cell migration to occur; f. labeling cells on the side of the membrane closest to said second chamber with a fluorescent dye, said dye being capable of labeling only live cells; g. labeling cells on the side of the membrane closest to said first chamber with a fluorescent dye, said dye being capable of labeling only dead cells; h. stimulating the labeled cells on the side of the membrane closest to said second chamber with electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength whereby said labeled cells will emit electromagnetic radiation of a second wavelength; i. measuring the emitted electromagnetic radiation from the side of the radiation opaque membrane closest to said second chamber; j. stimulating the labeled cells on the side of the membrane closest to said first chamber with electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength whereby said labeled cells will emit electromagnetic radiation of a second wavelength; and k. measuring the emitted electromagnetic radiation from the side of the radiation opaque membrane closest to said first chamber, whereby the effect of a drug on said cell migration and said cell death is an indication of the effectiveness of said drug at arresting said cancer tissues.