DIGITAL LIFE
A new portable device developed by researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso could make diagnosing colorectal and prostate cancer cheaper, easier and faster. The biochip, which is still a prototype, can detect the disease in as little as an hour and can be transported anywhere.
Scientists believe the technology could be especially useful in developing countries. In these regions, cancer mortality rates are higher, in part because of the lack of diagnostic tools available to doctors.
Current cancer diagnostic methods are slow and expensive...Currently, the method most commonly used by doctors to diagnose cancer, called ELISA, requires the use of expensive instruments and takes about twelve hours or more to process a sample.
This time can be even longer in rural areas of the United States and in developing countries. Many of these regions have to transport samples from one city to another, since not all have hospitals equipped with the necessary technology.
Delayed diagnosis can make all the difference in a patient's chance of survival. The faster and more effective it is, the better the likelihood that early treatments will be successful.
Its structure consists of several small holes with a special type of paper that captures cancer biomarkers.
The samples are inserted into these “wells” so that the paper traps certain proteins that signal the presence of the disease in a few minutes.
The material then changes color, indicating the type of cancer. The intensity of the color shows how advanced it is.
The biochip can detect cancer in just one hour with a sensitivity ten times greater than traditional methods.
In addition, the device is portable and, according to the researchers, costs only a few dollars.
When will the technology be used?...In a statement from the University of Texas, scientist XiuJun (James) Li explains that it may take some time before the device is commercially available. The prototype still needs to be finalized and undergo some tests with patients. This would take a few years. In addition, the technology also needs final approval from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), the regulatory agency in the United States.
Current research has focused only on colorectal and prostate cancer, but Li says the device could be used to detect a wide range of cancers. If all goes well, the biochip will allow for more accurate, faster and cheaper diagnosis, perfect for developing countries with high mortality rates from the disease.
"This makes the technology ideal for resource-limited settings, which will improve early diagnosis and lead to better outcomes in cancer treatment. I look forward to seeing what this innovation will bring." Robert Kirken, dean of the College of Science at the University of Texas
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