The engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have come up with a diagnostic system to make screening of lung cancer more accessible on a global level. Low-dose computed tomography can helo in finding lung cancer early and improve survival rates but not everyone can get this screening as it is not easy to access it. People all around the world face challenge of getting diagnosed with lung cancer. MIT Researchers have developed a new technology to detect lung cancer at an early stage.
Their approach involved inhaling nanoparticle sensors and then taking a urine test to reveal the presence of tumor. This new test uses tiny sensors that one breathes in specially in inhaler or nebulizer. In case these sensors find proteins linked to lung cancer, they send a signal that accumulates in the pee. Thus, one can simply check if have tumor using paper strip on urine. This new technique for finding lung cancer might replace the usual method called CT screening. It could be really helpful in countries where there are not many CT scanners and people with limited income.
In this technique, the tiny sensors are made of polymer nanoparticles with a special coating with something like a DNA barcode. When these sensors come across proteases enzymes, the coating is cut off from the particle. Then, this barcode-like thing gathers in the urine and gets out of body when one pee. The researchers made two types of tiny particles. One is the liquid form that can turn into a mist and can be breathed in with a nebulizer and second is in the form of a dry powder that can be taken using an inhaler. This new method was tried on mice and they gave sensors about 7.5 weeks after forming of tumors. For use in humans, more sensors might be needed to make an accurate diagnosis.
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only.
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