(Nanowerk Spotlight) Cancer screening typically requires large, expensive equipment housed in specialized facilities. Current methods rely on chemical analysis of blood samples, microscopic examination of tissue biopsies, or complex imaging machines. Each approach demands extensive infrastructure: clinical laboratories, expensive equipment, and highly trained specialists to prepare samples and interpret results. These requirements create significant barriers to regular screening, particularly in regions with limited medical resources.
Scientists have identified terahertz radiation – electromagnetic waves that occupy the spectrum between microwaves and infrared light – as a promising alternative for cancer detection. Cancer cells interact with terahertz waves in distinct ways due to their molecular composition and structure. Like how different materials produce unique sounds when struck, each type of cancer cell creates characteristic patterns when exposed to terahertz waves. However, detecting and interpreting these subtle signatures has proven technically challenging, with previous sensors suffering from low sensitivity and requiring bulky equipment.
Researchers from China and Singapore have now developed a miniature sensor that overcomes these limitations through innovative engineering at the microscopic scale. Their work, published in Advanced Materials (“Hyperspectral Metachip-Based 3D Spatial Map for Cancer Cell Screening and Quantification”), describes a coin-sized device that combines record-breaking sensitivity with the ability to identify specific cancer types at an accuracy of 93.33%.
The conceptual representation of the proposed method. a) The designed pixelated metachip captures spectral signatures (2D barcode) of human cancer cells when illuminated by THz waves. These feature barcodes are further expanded (Ti) and dimensionalized into fingerprint information usingmachine learning algorithms, based on which b) the 3D map for human cancer cells has been constructed, in which the species and concentration of the analyte are determined based on spatial Euclidean distances. c) The photograph of the designed superchip, compared to a one-dollar coin (RMB). (Image: Reprinted with permission by Wiley-VCH Verlag)
The system’s key component is a specially engineered glass chip coated with microscopic gold patterns called asymmetric double rectangles. These patterns create strong resonances when exposed to terahertz waves. The researchers achieved a record-high quality factor of 230, meaning the chip can detect extremely subtle differences in how cancer cells interact with terahertz radiation. This sensitivity significantly exceeds previous terahertz-based sensors.
The team tested their system specifically with five types of human cancer cells: lung cancer (A549), gastric cancer (HGC-27), bone cancer (U20S), pancreatic cancer (PANC-1), and liver cancer (HepG2). Each type was tested at three different concentrations: 50,000, 100,000, and 400,000 cells per milliliter. The device demonstrated remarkable sensitivity, able to detect changes in concentration as small as 1,320 cells per milliliter – a level of precision previously unattainable with similar technologies.
To analyze the measurements, the researchers developed an innovative three-dimensional mapping system. Their software transforms the terahertz response data into specific coordinates in a 3D space, with each cancer type occupying a distinct region. This visualization method achieved 93.33% accuracy in identifying the correct cancer type and concentration among the tested samples. The theoretical framework suggests the system could distinguish between approximately 180,000 different biological samples, though this capability remains to be demonstrated with actual samples.
The technology offers several practical advantages over current methods. Unlike existing tests, it doesn’t require adding chemical markers or dyes to the cells. The entire device is portable, unlike the room-sized machines used in many hospitals. Most importantly, the automated analysis means healthcare workers don’t need extensive training to interpret results.
However, several challenges must be addressed before clinical implementation. The current study examined carefully prepared samples containing single types of cancer cells. Real patient samples contain complex mixtures of different cell types, proteins, and other biological materials that could interfere with detection. The researchers acknowledge the need for extensive testing with such mixed samples to validate the technology’s practical effectiveness.
The team is working to adapt their system for more complex biological environments. This includes developing methods to detect cancer cells in blood, other bodily fluids, and tissue samples where multiple cell types are present. They’re also investigating whether similar sensor designs could work with different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation to detect other disease markers.
The development of this metachip represents a significant technical achievement in terahertz-based cancer detection. While considerable work remains before clinical deployment, the specific combination of record-high sensitivity (quality factor of 230), precise detection capabilities for five cancer types, and compact design demonstrates important progress toward more accessible cancer screening methods. The system shows particular promise for bringing cancer detection to areas where traditional screening methods are impractical, though its real-world effectiveness will depend on successful validation with complex biological samples.
This advance illustrates how precise engineering at the microscopic scale can address persistent challenges in medical diagnostics. The researchers’ achievement in creating a highly sensitive, specific detection system for five types of cancer cells marks an important step toward more accessible diagnostic tools, while highlighting the remaining challenges in translating laboratory success to clinical practice.
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