A groundbreaking technology developed at MIT could revolutionize the diagnosis of lung cancer by allowing patients to inhale nanoparticle sensors and subsequently undergo a urine test that can detect the presence of tumors. The use of nanosensors, which can be delivered through an inhaler or nebulizer, is a potential alternative or supplement to the current gold standard for lung cancer diagnosis, low-dose computed tomography (CT). This development could have a significant impact, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to CT scanners is limited.
Lung cancer is projected to become increasingly prevalent in these countries, mainly due to pollution and smoking. Therefore, making this technology more accessible could save countless lives. Sangeeta Bhatia, the John and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, believes that this technology has the potential to address the resource disparity and inequity associated with early detection of lung cancer in these regions.
The nanosensors function by coating polymer nanoparticles with a reporter, such as a DNA barcode, which is cleaved when the sensor encounters proteases, enzymes that are often overactive in tumors. The cleaved reporters collect in the urine and are detectable using a simple paper test strip. Previous versions of the sensors were designed to be administered intravenously to target other cancer sites, but for the diagnosis of lung cancer, researchers aimed to create an inhaled version to facilitate deployment in low-resource settings.
To achieve this, the researchers created two formulations of the particles – an aerosolized solution delivered through a nebulizer and a dry powder delivered through an inhaler. Once in the lungs, the particles are absorbed into the tissue, where they encounter proteases. Tumors often have overactive proteases, which cleave the DNA barcodes from the sensors. The cleaved barcodes circulate in the bloodstream until excreted in the urine.
In previous versions, mass spectrometry was used to analyze urine samples and detect DNA barcodes. However, this technique may not be available in low-resource areas. Therefore, researchers developed a lateral flow assay for this version, which allows the detection of barcodes using a paper test strip. The strip can detect up to four different DNA barcodes, each indicating the presence of a different protease. The test requires no pre-treatment or processing of the urine sample and can yield results within 20 minutes.
In experiments conducted on genetically engineered mice with lung tumors, the researchers administered the sensors at a time corresponding to early-stage cancer in humans. By analyzing the levels of 20 different sensors and using a machine learning algorithm, the researchers identified a combination of four sensors that accurately detected early-stage lung tumors. Although more sensors may be required for use in humans, multiple paper strips could be used, with each strip detecting four different DNA barcodes.
The researchers now plan to analyze human biopsy samples to determine if the sensor panels can also detect human cancers. Furthermore, they hope to conduct clinical trials in human patients. Sunbird Bio, a company that has already run Phase I trials on a similar sensor developed by Bhatia’s lab, for the diagnosis of liver cancer and a form of hepatitis, known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
In regions where CT scanning is limited, this technology could significantly improve lung cancer screening. It has the potential to provide patients with immediate results and enable early interventions, such as curative surgery or lifesaving medications.
The future of lung cancer diagnosis could see a shift towards easy and accessible methods, bringing hope to millions of people around the world.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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