Korean Research Team Develops Urine Sensor for Cancer Diagnosis

Korean researchers have developed a strip-type urine sensor that can diagnose cancer quickly and with high sensitivity in the field.

The technology was made by a team at the Korea Institute of Materials Science led by Dr. Ho Sang Jung of the Surface & Nano Materials Division of the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS). People can use it to look at prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer without the need for an extra analysis step.

This is according to a press release first made available by EurekAlert!, operated by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Cancer Detection Via Urine Test

The researchers focused on the differences in metabolomic components found in the urine of cancer patients and normal people. Because of abnormal metabolism, cancer cells produce several compounds into the urine when they spread in the body.

By constructing a coral-shaped plasmonic nanomaterial on porous paper, the researchers created a surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensor that amplifies the optical signal of metabolites in urine more than 1 billion times.

Cancer metabolite signals are enhanced on the sensor surface when urine is deposited into the sensor and exposed to light, making it feasible to detect cancer. According to the study, the team succeeded in separating up to 99% of prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer patients from normal individuals using an artificial intelligence-based analysis method on the obtained spectral data.

Can Urine Tests Detect Cancer?

According to Cancer Research UK, molecules released by cancer cells can move to the kidneys via the bloodstream. However, these molecules must be small to get through the kidney's sensitive filtering system and enter the bladder. They are typically molecular building blocks that comprise cancer cells, such as proteins.

However, whole cancer cells or their DNA are too large to move via the kidneys and must enter through the bladder or ureters. Despite this fact, experts think it is not impossible to test urine for cancer.

Urine is a lot less crowded. Professor Tatjana Crnogorac-Jurcevic from Queen Mary, University of London, says around 40% of the material found in urine is from outside the kidneys and urinary tract. "The blood plasma is filtered through the kidneys, so you can detect lots of things in it," Crnogorac-Jurcevic added.

Simple and Low-cost Cancer Detection Process

The urine-based approach provides a simple and low-cost method for detecting cancer early and avoiding a late diagnosis or even death. It is beneficial for people who can't afford regular exams since cancer is sometimes only found when it has spread a lot.

An earlier diagnosis may result in a reduced need for treatment, a shorter period spent recovering, and an increased likelihood of surviving cancer.

The strip-type sensor is suitable for mass inspection because it costs less than KRW 100 per unit.

1 USD = 1263.61 Korean won.

Further Details

Senior researcher Ho Sang Jung said, "Since early diagnosis is the most important for incurable diseases such as cancer, we expect this technology to provide a new diagnostic method."

The team is steadily expanding the cancer types that can be diagnosed by studying the urine of individuals with prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer.

Read more about the study here.

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