A simple saliva test could replace the classic methods for diagnosing breast cancer: thanks to a small portable device the size of a hand, a few drops of saliva are in fact sufficient to detect the signature molecules of cancer, the so-called biomarkers, providing results within 5 seconds instead of days.
The innovative sensor was developed by the research group led by the American University of Florida and the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University of Taiwan, which used the Arduino platform, created in Italy in 2005 with the aim of creating devices, sensors and electronic devices in a simple way and within everyone's reach.
The results are published in the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B.
The device uses paper strips treated with specific antibodies that bind to typical breast cancer biomarkers following the sending of electrical impulses.
The biosensor requires only a drop of saliva and can provide accurate results even if the concentration of cancer signature molecules is very low, on the order of one quadrillionth of a gram (which is equivalent to one femtogram) per milliliter.
“In many places, especially in developing countries, advanced technologies such as MRI are not always available,” explains Hsiao-Hsuan Wan of the University of Florida who led the study.
“Our technology is much cheaper: the test strip costs just a few cents and the reusable circuit costs about $5.
We are excited – adds Wan – about the possibility of having a significant impact in areas where people have perhaps never had the resources for classic breast cancer screening tests”.
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