Objective: To construct a red blood cell-tumor cell microsphere filter separation device and evaluate its efficiency in tumor cell removal and red blood cell recovery. Methods: Tumor cell suspensions 107 cells/ml of HepG2, HeLa, and A549 were prepared separately. Healthy human red blood cell (RBC) suspensions were prepared with a hematocrit (Hct) of 50%. RBCs were then mixed with each of the three tumor cell lines (HepG2, HeLa, and A549) to prepare suspensions, simulating intraoperative autologous blood salvage samples. These three types of suspensions were randomly and equally divided into two copies, totally divided into six groups: the tumor cells suspension with filter group (group TM), the tumor cells group (group TC), RBCs suspension with filter group (group RM), RBCs control group (group RC), mixed cells suspension with filter group (group MM), and mixed cells control group (group MC). Groups TM, RM, and MM were filtered through the device, while groups TC, RC, and MC remained untreated. Cell counting was used to evaluate tumor cell removal and rate of RBC recovery. DAPI staining was used to detect the ability of tumor cell colonization, red blood cell fragility test was used to calculate rate of hemolysis and half-hemolysis concentration (H50), and Wright-Giemsa staining were employed to assess the physiological function and morphology of RBCs. Results: The rates of tumor cell removal were 100%, and no tumor cell colonization was observed in groups TM and MM. Compared with group RC, the RBC counts, Hb and Hct concentration were significantly decreased in group RM (P < 0.05). The rates of RBC, Hb, and Hct recovery in group RM were (82.3 ± 3.3)%, (82.0 ± 1.4)%, and (81.9 ± 1.7)%, respectively. Compared with group MC, the RBC counts was significantly decrease in group MM (P < 0.05). The rates of RBC recovery of HepG2, Hela, and A549 cells in group MM were (76.9 ± 3.2)%, (75.4 ± 4.0)%, and (68.4 ± 5.5)%, respectively. There were no significantly differences in H50, RBC size, morphology, and rates of pigment abnormality between groups RM and RC. Conclusion: The constructed RBC-tumor cell microsphere filter separation device demonstrates excellent tumor cell removal efficiency and RBC recovery, showing promising potential for clinical applications. |