Human-derived tumor-spheroid-based anti-cancer drugs testing using dynamic optical coherence tomography

Abstract

We demonstrate label-free dynamic optical coherence tomography-based evaluation of tumor spheroids' response to multiple anti-cancer drugs based on different mechanisms. The study involved dynamic imaging of human breast cancer (MCF-7) spheroids treated with tamoxifen citrate (TAM), Paclitaxel (PTX), and doxorubicin (DOX). In addition, fluorescence (FLUO) imaging was performed as a reference. The D-OCT imaging is performed using a custom-built OCT device with a repeated raster scan protocol. Two algorithms, including Logarithmic Intensity Variance (LIV) and late OCT Correlation Decay Speed (OCDSl) were used to visualize the tissue dynamics. The D-OCT visualized the drug type-dependent morphological and tissue-activity response patterns of the tumor spheroid. The different response patterns are clearly explained by the mechanisms of the drugs. The presented results suggest that D-OCT can be a useful tool for anti-cancer drug testing.