Differential Mobility of Breast Cancer Cells and Normal Breast Epithelial Cells Under DC Electrophoresis and Electroosmosis.

Background/Aim: Breast cancer has shown improved prognosis over the years, yet due to different types of breast cancer and different phenotypes of breast cancer cells, it is essential to have an accurate diagnostic procedure. Materials and Methods: A unique methodology employing direct current (DC) electrophoresis and electroosmosis in fabricated microfluidic devices was used. This phenomenon was used to discern breast cancer cells from normal breast epithelial cells based on their electrophoretic mobility and electroosmosis. Results: Breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) rapidly covered the wound in scratch assay compared to mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A). However, under DC electrophoresis and electroosmosis MCF-10A cells were observed to move at higher velocities compared to MDA-MB-231 cells under similar voltages. Conclusion: Our study provides an economical and efficient method of studying electrophoretic and electrokinetic phenomenon of different cell types that can be used to the advantage of detecting and monitoring cancer progression.