Detecting cancer early is one of the most important factors in saving lives. Many cancers are much easier to treat before they spread, yet early detection remains difficult because warning signs inside the body are often extremely small and hard to measure.
Scientists have now developed a powerful new sensor that uses light to find tiny traces of cancer-related molecules in blood, raising hope that future screening could become faster, simpler, and more accurate.
The new technology was created by researchers at Shenzhen University in China. Their device focuses on biomarkers, which are small molecules in the body that can signal the presence of disease.
These biomarkers may include proteins, fragments of DNA, or special forms of RNA released by cancer cells. Doctors already use some biomarker tests, but in the earliest stages of cancer, these molecules are present in such tiny amounts that they are easy to miss.
The new sensor uses a light-based method to detect these faint signals without needing complicated chemical steps. Traditional tests often require amplification, a process that increases the number of molecules so they can be measured.
While effective, amplification adds time, cost, and the risk of errors. The new system aims to detect biomarkers directly, even when only a few molecules are present.
To achieve this, the scientists combined several advanced technologies. They used specially shaped structures made from DNA, tiny light-emitting particles known as quantum dots, and a gene-editing tool related to CRISPR technology. Together, these components form a sensor that responds to specific biomarkers by changing how it interacts with light.
The detection method relies on a physical process called second harmonic generation. In simple terms, when light hits the sensor’s surface, it is converted into a new form of light that can be measured with high precision. Because this method produces very little background noise, even extremely small changes become visible.
The DNA structures act like tiny scaffolds that hold the quantum dots at precise distances from the sensor’s surface. When the target biomarker is present, a CRISPR-based system cuts the DNA links that hold the dots in place. This causes a clear drop in the light signal, indicating that the biomarker has been detected.
In laboratory tests, the device successfully detected a molecule called miR-21, which is associated with lung cancer. The sensor was able to find this marker in human blood samples at extremely low levels, even when only a few molecules were present. It also showed high accuracy, responding only to the correct target and ignoring similar molecules.
Researchers believe this approach could eventually allow doctors to detect cancer before tumors become visible on scans.
It might also help monitor how well treatments are working by measuring biomarker levels more frequently. Because the system is programmable, it could potentially be adapted to detect other diseases, including infections or neurological conditions.
The team is now working on making the device smaller and easier to use. A portable version could allow testing in clinics, hospitals, or even remote areas where advanced medical equipment is not available.
In analyzing the study, the technology is highly promising but still in early stages. The tests were limited to laboratory conditions and a small number of samples.
Large clinical studies will be needed to confirm accuracy, reliability, and safety before the sensor can be used in routine healthcare. There are also challenges in reducing cost and ensuring the device works consistently in real-world settings.
Even so, the research represents an important step toward earlier and less invasive cancer detection. A simple blood test that can identify disease at its earliest stage could transform medicine, allowing treatment to begin sooner and improving survival rates.
If future studies confirm its effectiveness, this light-based sensor could become a powerful tool in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.
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