3D Computational Modelling of ctDNA Separation Using Superparamagnetic Bead Particles in Microfluidic Device

The largest theoretical impact of the circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) discovery is a non-invasive liquid biopsy which could substitute surgical tumour biopsy. This work describes the numerical simulation of ctDNA extraction and separation from the blood plasma of stage I and II cancer patients using superparamagnetic bead particles in a microfluidic platform. The ctDNA extraction and separation have great importance in early detection of cancer, especially in identifying precision medicine that can be prescribed. An average 5.7 ng of circulating tumor DNA was separated efficiently for every 10 µL blood plasma input based on the simulation result from the model using the COMSOL Multiphysics 5.3a software tool. The result provides a highly valuable tool for early evaluation of cancer management.