Nanotechnology-based Device Can Detect Lung Cancer: Study

Researchers have developed a new device that uses nanotechnology to detect lung cancer before it becomes too dangerous and spreads too far to treat.

The study was conducted by scientists at Tel Aviv University, the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and the University of Colorado, to develop a tiny tool embedded with a NaNose chip that can 'sniff out' the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by tumours.

The researchers conducted a study on 358 patients who were either diagnosed with or were at risk of lung cancer. The findings were presented at the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago. It was found that the NaNose was able to detect lung cancer with 90% accuracy, even if the lung nodule was tiny and difficult to sample.

Currently, cancer diagnosis requires invasive procedures, such as biopsies or surgery. With the new development, it is hoped that this could pave the way for easier and more accurate tests.

“The device could prove valuable in helping determine patients who need more intensive screening for lung cancer,” Professor Nir Peled, a pulmonologist and thoracic medical oncologist, said.

In India, the number of lung cancer deaths among women surpasses those from breast cancer. (Image: Thinkstock)