Release date: 2008-01-23
In a groundbreaking development, scientists at Harvard Medical School in the United States have created an ultra-sensitive device capable of identifying cancer cells in blood samples. This innovative tool enables the separation, counting, and analysis of free tumor cells, offering doctors new possibilities for more effective cancer treatment. The findings were recently published in the renowned British journal Nature.
The device features a chip no larger than a business card. It is embedded with micro-terminals coated in antibodies specifically designed to target cancer cells. As blood passes through the chip, these terminals act like molecular glue, capturing cancer cells while leaving healthy blood cells untouched.
To test the technology, researchers analyzed blood samples from 68 patients suffering from various types of cancer, including lung, prostate, pancreatic, rectal, and breast cancers. In 115 out of 116 samples, they successfully detected free tumor cells. Compared to traditional methods, which could only identify one to five cancer cells in 8 ml of blood containing 60 billion cells, this new system can detect up to 1,000 cancer cells. Notably, no cancer cells were found in the blood of healthy individuals.
This advancement significantly enhances the sensitivity of cancer detection, enabling more precise and personalized treatment strategies. Additionally, the ability to isolate living cancer cells using this method is expected to drive further progress in cancer research and drug development. ——Shanghai Medical Device Industry Association
Medical Masks,Medical Scrub Caps,Earloop Face Mask,Face Masks And Caps
Xinxiang Huaxi Sanitary Materials Co., Ltd. , https://www.huaximedical.com