(239d) Dielectric Signatures of Red Blood Cells from Pancreatic Cancer Patients Under Simulated Microgravity

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to the lack of early symptoms and effective screening tools. Recent studies have begun to explore how systemic changes associated with cancer—such as inflammation, altered metabolism, and circulating biomarkers—affect red blood cells (RBCs). Despite their lack of a nucleus, RBCs from cancer patients have demonstrated measurable biophysical and biochemical alterations, potentially offering a novel window into cancer diagnostics. However, the effects of microgravity on RBCs from PDAC patients remain largely unexplored.

In this study, we investigate the impact of simulated microgravity on the dielectric properties of human red blood cells (HRBCs) from pancreatic cancer (PDAC) patients. Using a clinostat to mimic microgravity conditions, RBCs were exposed for 1-5 hours in DEP media with varying conductivities (0.008-0.03 S/m). Dielectrophoresis (DEP), a label-free electrokinetic technique, was employed to characterize cellular responses to non-uniform electric field ranging from 0.5 kHz to 45 MHz at a fixed peak-to-peak voltage (V_pp) (5, 10, 15, 20). DEP responses are governed by intrinsic cellular properties such as membrane capacitance and cytoplasmic conductivity, which reflect changes in cell health, morphology, and intracellular composition.

Our results demonstrate statistically significant alterations in the dielectric signatures of RBCs after just three hours of microgravity exposure, including cytoplasm conductivity and membrane capacitance, suggesting changes in membrane structure and intracellular content. These findings not only offer insight into how microgravity affects RBCs in cancer patients but also contribute to a growing body of research exploring RBCs as potential biomarkers for cancer progression and treatment response. This work highlights the potential of DEP as a powerful, non-invasive diagnostic tool for biophysical profiling in both terrestrial and space medicine applications.