Microlaboratory diagnoses oncology

The problem of early diagnosis of canceris one of the main for the successful struggle with one of the most dangerous diseases. Scientists have created a small device for detecting cancer cells using nanotechnology, and only one drop of the patient’s blood will be required during testing.
Developers from the University of Kansas (USA) used the method of liquid biopsy to create the device, which allows to detect exosomes leading to the formation of cancer cells.

Cancer cells produce exosomes that fallin the extracellular space and further promote the growth of tumors and the development of metastases. The device, created on the principle of "lab on the chip," uses a special three-dimensional nano-coating that provides prompt and accurate diagnosis.

The original design of the minilabprovides the promotion of exosomes to the surface of the chip, which has an increased sensitivity, where the information necessary for diagnostics is read. In addition to the study does not require additional complex and expensive equipment.

When testing the chip models were usedovarian cancer, however, according to scientists, the technique is universal, since almost all cells of the body produce exosomes. Currently, scientists are exploring the possibility of using the technique for the early diagnosis of slowly progressive, hereditary or acquired diseases of the nervous system (neurodegenerative diseases).

Source: news.ku.edu