1. Summary of the article: Cristina M. Cruz Irizarry<br />A Chip Against Cancer RISE program<br />The methods to treat cancer are often harmful to the patient. For example, one of the methods most commonly used is biopsy; where the patients may endure pain. There is a more convenient method that has been developed for the treatment of cancer patients. A chip has been created that can analyze the cancer cells in patient’s blood with just a small amount of blood sample. Researchers found that by analyzing circulating tumor cells. (CTC) they can have unimaginable results on the tumor’s biology. The researchers have modified a micro fluid technology that is capable of capturing the CTC. This is possible because the chip is made of microscopic columns that function as test tubes where the CTC undergoes evaluation. To make sure that only the cancer cells stick to the chip researchers use an epithelial cell adhesion which only cancer cells have. Two clinical trials where done. In the first one, researchers analyzed the blood samples of 116 subjects who were cancer patients with a variety of cancers. The chip manages to isolate CTC in all but one case. In the second trial, the chip was used to evaluate the cancer genetics of 27 patients. They successfully identify much important information in the cancer’s genetics that before was very hard to identify in normal tests. This CTC chip in the future may uncover new ways of treating cancer patients without being as invasive and while it decreases medical costs. <br />