Researchers from Indiana’s University of Notre Dame have developed a novel new blood testing method to diagnose glioblastoma — the most common type of brain cancer.
The institution announced the achievement on Tuesday. Through the use of a biochip utilizing electrokinetic technology, they can accurately detect the presence of biomarkers known to be prevalent in the cancer within one hour.
Although the average lifespan of a person who has been diagnosed with the disease is no more than 1.5 years, the investigators hope that earlier detection may increase survival rates.
These disposable biochips cost under US$2.00 apiece. This method only requires analyzing 100 micro-litres of blood.
They published a lengthy paper on the technology in Nature’s peer-reviewed journal Communications Biology a couple months ago.
Researchers at Notre Dame have developed a novel, automated device capable of diagnosing #glioblastoma, a fast-growing and incurable brain #cancer, in less than an hour: https://t.co/qaIaHWvLSB pic.twitter.com/co8k6L7diX
— University of Notre Dame (@NotreDame) August 27, 2024
Read more: Breath Diagnostics takes aim at lung cancer with One Breath
Read more: Breath Diagnostics pioneers novel lung cancer breath test
Potential to diagnose other diseases
This device could potentially pinpoint biological nanoparticles associated with pancreatic cancer too, the investigators say. Moreover, it may be able to help identify other conditions like epilepsy, dementia and cardiovascular disease.
“Our technique is not specific to glioblastoma, but it was particularly appropriate to start with it because of how deadly it is and the lack of early screening tests available,” Hsueh-Chia Chang, study lead and professor, said.
The University of Notre Dame isn’t the only American organization to recently develop a novel cancer testing device capable of providing quick results. It isn’t the only one concerned with early detection of deadly diseases either.
In recent months, Kentucky’s Breath Diagnostics Inc. has been pioneering an efficient new method for diagnosing lung cancer. Patients simply need to breathe into a bag, which is then sent off to a lab, providing accurate results within four days.
None of the competitors in the lung cancer diagnostics industry are utilizing this novel, precise technique.
Also, in another recent development, California’s Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) just obtained FDA approval for a different type of biomarker test used to identify the most efficacious treatment methods for tumours and cancers.
You've always had what it takes. Now you have what you need – TruSight Oncology Comprehensive is now US FDA approved. https://t.co/lGywquyE7P pic.twitter.com/ujRTS6MIoz
— Illumina (@illumina) August 27, 2024
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