A remarkable new device promises to make cancer detection cheaper, faster and more accessible than ever.
As mentioned in the upcoming issue Lab on a ChipResearchers at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) say they have developed a system that can detect cancer markers in blood with greater responsiveness than current diagnostic methods.
The new testing platform, known as a paper-in-polymer-pond (PiPP) device, combines paper similar to the type found in coffee filters with a plastic framework.
Using a single drop of a patient’s blood, PiPP targets two cancer markers: carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), which is linked to colorectal cancerand prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which indicates prostate cancer.
CEA and PSA appear in the blood in the early stages of cancer, making them historically difficult to detect. However, the new device can capture these markers in lower concentrations, making them about 10 times more sensitive than testing kits on the market.
“Our new biochip device is low-cost – only a few dollars – and sensitive, which will make accurate disease diagnosis accessible to anyone, whether rich or poor,” said lead author Xiujun (James) Lee, professor of chemistry and UTEP Professor of Biochemistry, said in a statement,
“It’s portable, fast and eliminates the need for specialized equipment,” Lee said.
This promising development has resulted from Shocking new research he suggests Gen X And Millennial Americans Are 17 Higher risk of developing cancer Compared to older generations.
Colorectal cancer, which the PIPP device may be able to detect at an early stage, is on the rise among adults under the age of 50. from the 90s, Young adults who develop colon cancer The devastating disease is diagnosed in the later stages – and there are more aggressive types of tumors, but the promise of earlier detection of PiPP could equate to life-saving intervention.
Prostate cancer is also increasing in a similar manner Current cancer epidemic, with 10% new diagnoses in the US occurs in men under the age of 55,
Prostate cancer deaths Worldwide it is expected to increase by 136% from 2022 to 2050. As with all cancers, early detection is key – and the new PiPP device could be a game changer.
And this device not only makes quick diagnosis but also gives quick results. Compared to the 16 hours that traditional testing takes, PiPP provides results in just one hour and those results can be read from a smartphone.
Researchers say developing countries often lack access to resources such as cancer screening methods and laboratory equipment and providers, a limitation that makes early detection difficult and leads to higher mortality rates.
However, the PiPP device – which is affordable, reusable and user-friendly – helps provide a level playing field for early diagnosis.
Robert Kirken, dean of the College of Science at UTEP, said the innovation “greatly improves point-of-care diagnostics by reducing detection time and the need for expensive equipment.”
“This makes it ideal for resource-limited settings, which will improve early diagnosis and lead to better cancer outcomes. I look forward to seeing where this innovation leads,” he said.
Although the prospects are promising, it may be several years before a PiPP device becomes commercially available.
The prototype will be put through clinical trials to test for efficacy and safety and will ultimately require approval from the US Food and Drug Administration before being made available to health care providers.
