Spain: Breast cancer is increasing the number of deaths and suffering of women all over the world, including Pakistan. In this regard, Spanish experts have developed a low-cost and effective biosensor that can detect the disease long ago.
Scientists from the National Center for Cancer, Biomedical Research Center and Clinic de Valencia have been conducting joint research for many years.
Early detection of breast cancer can facilitate treatment and reduce mortality. Mammography is a better technology in this regard, but the test has its limitations, ie on the one hand there is a risk of radiation and on the other hand it is less sensitive.
Then if the breast tissue is hard, the mammograph can’t tell the inside story. In this regard, the need for other methods of early detection of cancer has been felt for a long time.
The biosensor works in the style of a liquid biopsy. A blood test can detect the presence of cancer. It provides results in just 30 to 60 minutes and is easy to use as well as low cost which identifies cancer cells in the blood plasma.
A biosensor made of nanoparticles such as nanopores alumina can detect miR-99a-5p microRNA that causes breast cancer. Although there are tests, they are very expensive and complicated.
A kind of biological diodamine is inserted into the microscope’s microscope hole (nanopores) which is sealed with oligo nucleotide. As plasma is applied to it, ink or dye is emitted in the presence of miR-99a-5p. It can tell if someone has breast cancer or if they are healthy.
Other institutions have also praised this important method and in the next phase it will be tested on humans.