Researchers have devised a saliva-based test capable of detecting breast cancer, displaying promising outcomes in preclinical trials. The innovation, a compact handheld device, hails from collaborative efforts between the University of Florida and the National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan. Their findings have been published in the Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B.
Hsiao-Hsuan Wan, a doctoral student in UF’s Department of Chemical Engineering and the lead author of the study envisions widespread breast cancer screening facilitated by medical personnel in both community and hospital settings. The device, approximately the size of a hand and reusable, presents an attractive option due to its portability and swift testing capabilities, taking less than five seconds per sample.
Functionally, the apparatus operates by applying a saliva sample onto a specialized test strip treated with specific antibodies responsive to cancer biomarkers. Electrical impulses are then transmitted to contact points on the biosensor device. The resulting signals are quantified and converted into digital data, providing insights into the biomarker’s concentration. According to Wan, the results are promptly generated and straightforward to interpret.
In preliminary trials involving 21 women, the device demonstrated proficiency in distinguishing between healthy breast tissue, early-stage breast cancer, and advanced breast cancer. Notably, the biosensor design incorporates readily available components akin to glucose testing strips and leverages the open-source hardware-software platform Arduino.
