Assessing cytotoxic effect of ZD6474 on MDA-MB-468 cells using cell-based sensor

This paper presents the application of an impedance-based measurement of cytotoxicity of ZD6474 on MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells in culture. In the present experiment, four types of cell-based sensors with different electrode geometries are fabricated by using microfabrication technology. MDA-MB-468 cells are grown on the electrode surfaces to study cell adhesion, spreading, and apoptosis. The real time impedance monitoring data show that the cells took to complete the spreading process on electrode surfaces. The cytotoxic effect of ZD6474 is dose dependant and with the increases of drug doses, the impedance value decreases, which correlates that ZD6474 blocks cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells. A quantitative relationship, developed between the impedance and drug doses, establishes a negative correlation between the drug doses and impedance. General consistency has been found between the impedance response and the biochemical assay. Thus, impedance sensing method provides a simple and cost effective method to study chemical cytotoxicity in vitro