12572 MechanoCHIP Linkoping University

Important results from the project

The aim was to develop a new platform for screening drugs to prevent the spread of bone metastases. More specifically, developing a platform that includes both bone and cancer cells in the presence of mechanical changes that occur in a bone metastasis. This is important because a changed mechanical environment affects how cancer cells respond to drugs. Today, we have developed a working platform in close contact with potential customers that will be scaled up for commercial use.

Expected long term effects

Today, the mechanochip is a working platform for testing cancer drugs. Use of the Mechanochip shows that cells (bone cancer) respond differently to drugs in the presence or absence of mechanical changes. This may be part of understanding why cancer cells stop responding to drugs, but also explain the low agreement between in vitro cultures and later animal models. Mechanochip can save many animal experiments by delivering more reliable information about drug response.

Approach and implementation

The work with Mechanochip has included four partners (BioRepria, LiU, Micronit, ACTA-VU). BioReperia has been responsible for the project and has experience in developing methods for cancer diagnostics. Fahlgrens LiU-lab has had knowledge of mechanobiology in breast cancer. I Holland has Micronit responsible for developing the technical microfluidics platform. The Bakkers ACTA-VU lab has focused on prostate cancer, mechanobiology and also the coating of surfaces. The collaboration has worked very well throughout.