Inhalable Sensors: A Game-Changer for Early Lung Cancer Detection

At the heart of this new diagnostic method are nanosensors that can be delivered through an inhaler or nebulizer. When these sensors are inhaled, they travel to the lungs, where they encounter specific cancer-associated proteins. Upon interaction with these proteins, the sensors produce a signal that ultimately accumulates in the urine, allowing for detection via a simple paper test strip. This method could serve as a replacement or complement to the current gold standard for lung cancer diagnosis, low-dose computed tomography (CT), which is often inaccessible in low- and middle-income countries.

According to secondary research, Sangeeta Bhatia, a professor at MIT and senior author of the study published in Science Advances, emphasizes the importance of this technology: “Around the world, cancer is going to become more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. The epidemiology of lung cancer is driven by pollution and smoking, highlighting the critical need for accessible diagnostic tools in these settings.”

Addressing Screening Challenges

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual CT scans for heavy smokers over the age of 50 to detect lung cancer early. Unfortunately, not all individuals within this high-risk group undergo screening, often due to barriers such as cost, availability of CT machines, and the high false-positive rates associated with these scans, which can lead to unnecessary and invasive follow-up procedures.

For years, Bhatia and her team have worked on developing nanosensors capable of detecting cancer and other diseases. Their research has now culminated in a solution that not only offers high specificity and sensitivity but also aims to lower accessibility barriers. “When we developed this technology, our goal was to provide a method that can detect cancer with high specificity and sensitivity while also making it accessible to all,” says Qian Zhong, an MIT research scientist and lead author of the study.