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Multi-modal analysis platform for capturing tumor-derived extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles are arguably “the next big thing” in cancer diagnostics. They are membrane-bound particles, shed by any cell in our body, and involved in intercellular communication. Analyzing these biomarkers seems worthwhile as they contain a tremendous amount of information on their tissue of origin. Researchers at the University of Twente, in collaboration with colleagues from Wageningen University, are working on a multi-modal analysis platform for the specific capture of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (tdEVs).

Minimal invasive diagnosis

It has for instance been shown that the concentration of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (tdEVs) in the blood of metastatic cancer patients correlates with their probability of survival. Simply by counting tdEVs in blood, patients can be monitored and treatment strategy adapted. This approach presents a significant advantage over conventional imaging techniques like MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which can only be employed a few times per year and cannot detect small tumors. In contrast, for EV analysis, only a blood sample is required, and such a liquid biopsy is much less invasive.

Still, before tdEVs can reliably be used in the clinic, they need to be more closely studied, which is a significant challenge due to: 1) their very small size, and 2) the vast number of other particles in blood which have a very similar size. In other words, highly sensitive and specific methods are needed to detect tdEVs.

Multi-parametric characterization

A collaboration between the UT’s Medical Cell BioPhysics group (MCBP) and Applied Microfluidics for BioEngineering Research group (AMBER), together with Wageningen University has led to the development of a platform for the reliable isolation of tdEVs followed by their individual multi-parametric characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to acquire comprehensive information on the isolated particles. On a chemically modified substrate, tdEVs were specifically captured, which was confirmed by SEM. AFM yielded higher-resolution, 3D information about their morphology.

Most notably, the chemical composition of single particles was disclosed by Raman spectroscopy. Aided by machine learning, the team was able to use this chemical inspection technique to identify a chemical fingerprint unique to tdEVs. Studying the particles individually, the team was able to verify the origin of the biomarkers, which was confirmed by combining the results obtained from the various instruments. Because if it looks like a tdEV, feels like a tdEV and smells like a tdEV, it must be a tdEV.


The research is part of the Cancer-ID programme, which is co-funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). The results have been published in the latest issue of the leading journal Lab on a Chip and selected as the front cover article.

Full details of the publication: Pepijn Beekman, Agustin Enciso-Martinez, Hoon Suk Rho, Sidharam Pundlik Pujari, Aufried Lenferink, Han Zuilhof, Leon W. M. M. Terstappen, Cees Otto and Séverine Le Gac; Immuno-capture of extracellular vesicles for individual multi-modal characterization using AFM, SEM and Raman spectroscopy; Lab Chip, 2019, 19, 2526; DOI: 10.1039/c9lc00081j.

L.P.W. van der Velde (Laurens)
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