Florida scientists create oral exam for identifying breast cancer in patients
The University of Florida has made a significant breakthrough in the field of cancer diagnostics with the development of a handheld saliva-based biosensor that can detect breast cancer. This innovative device offers a portable, non-invasive, and potentially more affordable option for breast cancer screening, particularly improving accessibility in underserved areas.
The device, which is small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, works by detecting breast cancer-specific biomarkers with a biosensor in saliva samples. It uses multi-channel test strips immersed in a saliva sample for about three seconds, then inserted into a circuit board that analyzes the biomarkers. The test results are immediately available through a special app, allowing real-time detection.
In a study of 29 saliva samples, the device correctly identified breast cancer 100% of the time, showing promise for effective early detection using a simple, low-cost saliva test. The device also minimized false negatives by correctly ruling out cancer in 86% of non-cancer patients.
The UF team, led by Dr. Josephine Esquivel-Upshaw, a professor in UF's College of Dentistry and member of the UF Health Cancer Center, sees the biosensor as a potential companion screening tool alongside traditional mammograms or MRIs. Dr. Coy Heldermon, a breast oncologist at UF Health, compares the test to at-home Cologuard kits for colon cancer, envisioning a future where patients could receive the biosensor by mail, submit a saliva sample, and be referred for further imaging if needed.
The project has received support from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and UF's College of Dentistry. The team is also researching additional saliva biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy and expand the biosensor's capabilities to detect other diseases. Several patents have already been filed for the biosensor technology.
The UF team's ultimate goal is to make early cancer detection just a saliva sample away. Approximately 1 in 8 women develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and the UF biosensor offers a potential solution to common barriers to screening. If successful, the device could significantly reduce healthcare costs associated with breast cancer screening. The team believes the technology could vastly expand access to breast cancer screening, particularly in rural or low-income communities.
The study was published in the journal Biosensors, marking a significant step forward in the development and potential widespread use of this innovative handheld saliva test for breast cancer detection.
- The University of Florida's handheld saliva-based biosensor, which has shown promising results in detecting breast cancer, operates by finding breast cancer-specific biomarkers in saliva samples.
- The UF biosensor, a potential companion to traditional mammograms or MRIs, aims to simplify early cancer detection by requiring only a saliva sample, potentially reducing healthcare costs and increasing accessibility in underserved areas.
- As part of their ongoing research, the UF team is exploring additional saliva biomarkers to enhance diagnostic accuracy, with the long-term goal of making the biosensor capable of detecting other medical conditions, not just breast cancer.