Determination of cancer progression in breast cells by fiber optic bioimpedance spectroscopy system

Aim: It is well established that cancer can be most effectively treated when diagnosed at an early stage. Therefore, development, evaluation, and validation of new biomedical approaches for early detection of cancer and precancerous lesions are important priorities. Our aim was to distinguish low metastatic human breast cells from normal human breast cells using the Fiber Optic Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (FOBIS) system. Methods: In the FOBIS system we developed, the diameters of the fibers and platinum wires are 50 and 25µm, respectively. The sensitivity of the system to differentiate different cell types was assessed with high metastatic (MDA-MB-231), low metastatic (MCF-7) and normal breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A). Statistical evaluation of data was performed by using Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). Spectroscopic data obtained from FOBIS system on suspended human breast cells were evaluated by multivariate statistical analysis to obtain information about the cell type. Fiber optic and bioimpedance methods allow discrimination of different cell types based on their signature. By combining these two techniques, the sensitivity of the system to the differentiation of human breast cells was evaluated. Results: The discrimination provided the sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 60% in distinguishing MCF-7 from MCF-10A cells. Conclusion: A highly accurate distinction of breast cancer cells was achieved in cell culture by FOBIS system.