Role of key genetic mutations on increasing migration of brain cancer cells through confinement.

Uncontrolled invasive cancer cell migration is among the major challenges for the treatment and management of brain cancer. Although the genetic profiles of brain cancer cells have been well characterized, the relationship between the genetic mutations and the cells' mobility has not been clearly understood. In this study, using microfluidic devices that provide a wide range of physical confinements from 20 × 5 μm to 3 × 5 μm in cross sections, we studied the effect of physical confinement on the migratory capacity of cell lines with different types of mutations.