Implantable sensor tracks cancer in the body

A materials engineering team at MIT has developed an implantable sensor that detects certain biomarkers. These biomarkers include proteins released by heart cells when they burst, meaning the sensor could detect a heart attack. Another biomarker that has been tracked is human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which is released in excess by tumors caused by testicular and ovarian cancer.

How does the device work? The device is a few millimeters wide and contains iron oxide nanoparticles. It has a semi-permeable membrane that lets molecules pass through, but keeps the nanoparticles in. The nanoparticles are covered with antibodies to the proteins and molecules mentioned above.

These little disks are useful as they can detect the severity of a heart attack or tumor. This is done by using an MRI to picture the amount of captured protein or molecule. The sensors can be implanted during a routine biopsy. MIT is even developing a magnetic wand that can be waved over the sensor for at-home monitoring.

I enjoyed this article because it combines the nanotechnology we touched on during last semester’s project with some concepts we learned about the heart this semester. I’m guessing the proteins they detected are probably troponin and creatine kinase (?). The fact that they are developing a wand makes it even more interesting!

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20247-implantable-sensor-tracks-cancer-in-the-body.html

Lainy Dromgoole, VTPP 435-502