how it works and how much it costs

A new test for cancer. A group of researchers from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has developed a portable device that can detect colorectal and prostate cancer in less than an hour, offering a much faster and more affordable solution than traditional methods.

The innovation could revolutionize cancer diagnosis, especially in developing countries where access to expensive tests is limited.

A new test for cancer. How does the device work and what makes it so special?

The new device uses microfluidic technology, which allows the analysis of very small amounts of fluids, such as a patient’s blood, and costs only a few dollars, making it affordable for anyone. The researchers created a “paper-in-polymer pool” type structure, where the blood sample is placed in a special vessel.

The paper captures specific cancer protein biomarkers and changes color depending on the presence of cancer and its stage. In other words, the intensity of the color indicates the type of cancer and how advanced it is.

Why is it different from traditional methods?

The traditional method of detecting cancer biomarkers, known as ELISA, requires expensive equipment and can take up to 16 hours to obtain results.

The new device reduces this time to just one hour and is about 10 times more sensitive than traditional methods, meaning it can detect even the smallest amounts of biomarkers, typical of the early stages of cancer. This increased sensitivity is essential for early diagnosis and increasing patients’ chances of survival.

Who could benefit most from this device?

The researchers believe the device will be particularly useful in resource-poor regions where access to diagnostic equipment is limited. In developing countries, barriers to early cancer diagnosis contribute to higher death rates.

“If we can detect biomarkers in time, before the disease spreads, we increase patients’ chances of survival,” said Professor XiuJun (James) Li, coordinator the study.

What types of cancer can be detected and what’s next?

So far, research has focused on detecting colorectal and prostate cancer, but the authors believe the technology could be applied to diagnose a wide variety of cancers.

However, before the device is available to the general public, it must go through the stages of clinical testing and be cleared by health regulatory authorities.

What does this innovation mean for cancer diagnosis?

Reducing the cost and time required for diagnosis could radically change the approach to the fight against cancer, making early diagnosis more accessible worldwide.

In addition, the lack of need for complex and expensive equipment opens new opportunities for the use of the device in medical centers in rural areas or in countries with poor medical infrastructure.

This technology promises to give new hope to patients and significantly improve outcomes in the fight against cancer. If it successfully passes all the necessary validation stages, the device could become an essential tool for the early diagnosis of the disease, thereby helping to save many lives.