Systems and Methods for Individualized Functional Genomic Profiling Related to Cancer Cell Growth

A cancer biochip system for assaying cancer cells from a patient to classify the patient's cancer based on response of the cancer cells to one or more of a plurality of active agents for prediction of efficacious treatment of the patient, comprising:

• a cancer biochip comprising at least one slide coated with a base layer comprising a first matrix and a plurality of spots, wherein the plurality of spots comprise a plurality of active agents capable of influencing tumor cell growth by affecting gene expression, and wherein the first matrix prevents cell attachment and supports anchorage-independent cell growth;
• a second matrix for mixing with, or for layering atop of, tumor cells isolated from a tumor biopsy of a patient that are plated on the first matrix and exposed to and/or incorporate the plurality of active agents, wherein the second matrix allows the tumor cells to grow into discrete colonies, supports anchorage-independent three-dimensional cell growth and limits cell migration, and wherein the growth of the tumor cells of the patient are measured to determine and identify which one or more of the plurality of active agents affects the patient's tumor cell growth in order to classify the patient's cancer.