Bioelectronic Devices Capture and Release Tumor Cells for Early Cancer Diagnosis
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 11 Sep 2023 |

Metastasis, the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant organs, is the main cause of cancer-related deaths. Metastasis occurs when a cancer cell detaches from the initial tumor, travels through the bloodstream and lymphatic system, and invades other parts of the body. Collecting these circulating tumor cells non-invasively is crucial for understanding cell biology, as well as for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and drug development. Traditional methods for gathering these cells in a usable form are time-consuming, given that the concentration of these cells in the bloodstream is incredibly low compared to other cell types.
Now, a group of researchers at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain) has designed a bioelectronic device that could revolutionize this process. The device featuring gold electrodes coated with a smart polymer not only captures but also releases cells in a controllable, non-destructive manner, while simultaneously tracking these activities through standard electrical readings. This is seen as a foundational step toward creating universal systems for early cancer detection. Previous biosensors designed for this purpose were less than ideal because they damaged cells during the capture and release process. To address this, the team integrated smart materials with bioelectronics, which involves the use of carbon-based semiconductors, for more accurate and less harmful cell capture and release mechanisms.
In their preliminary tests, the researchers did not use real patient samples but instead relied on commercial cells sustained in culture media. The results demonstrated that the device successfully captured and released these cells. The team is now in the process of customizing the polymer to interact specifically with different types of cells. Currently, the device is being used on esophageal cancer patient samples. Its role is to selectively accumulate cancer cells, making it easier to determine their concentration in the sample.
“We wanted to come up with a device capable of concentrating cancer cells in order to detect their concentration,” said Janire Sáez, Ikerbasque research professor in the UPV/EHU’s Microfluidics Cluster Group. These are the first steps towards developing platforms for cancer screening. This could be a good step forward because they generally involve low-cost technologies and can be mass-produced. The idea is to use this type of technology for early cancer diagnosis.”
Related Links:
UPV/EHU
Latest Technology News
- Electronic Biosensors Used to Detect Pathogens Can Rapidly Detect Cancer Cells
- Safer, Portable and Low-Cost Imaging Solution to Revolutionize Biomedical Diagnostics
- Multifunctional Nanomaterial Simultaneously Performs Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Immune Activation
- Ultra-Sensitive Biosensor Based on Light and AI Enables Early Cancer Diagnosis
- Low-Cost Biosensing Technology Detects Disease Biomarkers in Minutes
- AI Tool Could Help Identify Specific Gut Bacterial Targets for Treatment of Diseases
- Inexpensive DNA Coated Electrode Paves Way for Disposable Diagnostics
- New Miniature Device to Transform Testing of Blood Cancer Treatments
- Biosensing Advancement to Enable Early Detection of Disease Biomarkers at POC
- New POC Biosensing Technology Improves Detection of Molecular Biomarkers
- Enhanced Lab Data Management and AI Critical to Labs of the Future, Finds Survey
- AI-Assisted Non-DNA Based Test Identifies Viral Infections in Minutes
- AI Method Predicts Overall Survival Rate of Prostate Cancer Patients
- Breath Test to Enable Early Detection of Breast Cancer
- First Ever Technology Recognizes Disease Biomarkers Directly in Menstrual Blood in Sanitary Towels
- Tiny Microlaser Sensors with Supercharged Biosensing Ability to Enable Early Disease Diagnosis
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Skin Swabs Could Detect Parkinson’s Years Before Symptoms Appear
Parkinson’s disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose in its early stages, as motor symptoms do not appear until later in the progression of the disease. The ability to detect the disease up to seven... Read more
New Clinical Chemistry Analyzer Designed to Meet Growing Demands of Modern Labs
A new clinical chemistry analyzer is designed to provide outstanding performance and maximum efficiency, without compromising affordability, to meet the growing demands of modern laboratories.... Read more
New Reference Measurement Procedure Standardizes Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Results
Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) play a key role in diagnosing a wide range of infectious diseases. These tests are generally known for their high sensitivity and specificity, and they can be developed... Read moreHematology
view channel
Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results
Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more
First Point-of-Care Heparin Monitoring Test Provides Results in Under 15 Minutes
Heparin dosing requires careful management to avoid both bleeding and clotting complications. In high-risk situations like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), mortality rates can reach about 50%,... Read moreImmunology
view channel
New AI System Uncovers Hidden Cell Subtypes to Advance Cancer Immunotherapy
To produce effective targeted therapies for cancer, scientists need to isolate the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of cancer cells, both within and across different tumors. These differences significantly... Read more
Evolutionary Clinical Trial to Identify Novel Biomarker-Driven Therapies for Metastatic Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer, which occurs when cancer spreads from the breast to other parts of the body, is one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Nearly 90% of patients with metastatic cancer will... Read more
Groundbreaking Lateral Flow Test Quantifies Nucleosomes in Whole Venous Blood in Minutes
Diagnosing immune disruptions quickly and accurately is crucial in conditions such as sepsis, where timely intervention is critical for patient survival. Traditional testing methods can be slow, expensive,... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Early Detection of Gut Microbiota Metabolite Linked to Atherosclerosis Could Revolutionize Diagnosis
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and atherosclerosis plays a critical role in its development. This chronic condition, characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries... Read more
Viral Load Tests Can Help Predict Mpox Severity
Mpox is a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and a characteristic rash, which evolves significantly over time and varies between patients. The disease spreads mainly through direct contact with... Read more
Gut Microbiota Analysis Enables Early and Non-Invasive Detection of Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder marked by abnormal glucose metabolism during pregnancy, typically emerging in the mid to late stages. It significantly heightens the risk of... Read morePathology
view channel
AI Tool Accurately Determines Breast Cancer Prognosis
A new study has found that cells and tissues surrounding a breast cancer tumor may hold critical information about how patients will respond to treatment. The research, published in the journal Patterns,... Read more
Powerful New Tool Improves Tissue Cancer Analysis
Studying the mix of cell types in human tissue is crucial for understanding diseases like cancer, but it presents significant challenges in both accuracy and scalability. The tumor microenvironment, composed... Read moreTechnology
view channel
Electronic Biosensors Used to Detect Pathogens Can Rapidly Detect Cancer Cells
A major challenge in healthcare is the early and affordable detection of serious diseases such as cancer. Early diagnosis remains difficult due to the complexity of identifying specific genetic markers... Read more
Safer, Portable and Low-Cost Imaging Solution to Revolutionize Biomedical Diagnostics
In diagnosing diseases and monitoring treatment, accurate and quick detection of temperature within biological tissues can be crucial, especially in early disease detection. Conventional methods such as... Read more
Multifunctional Nanomaterial Simultaneously Performs Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Immune Activation
Cancer treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, have significant limitations. These treatments not only target cancerous areas but also damage healthy tissues, causing side effects... Read moreIndustry
view channel
QuidelOrtho and BÜHLMANN Collaborate on Gastrointestinal Biomarker Tests
QuidelOrtho Corporation (San Diego, CA, USA) and BÜHLMANN Laboratories AG (Schönenbuch, Switzerland) have announced the availability of the BÜHLMANN fCAL turbo and fPELA turbo assays on QuidelOrtho's... Read more