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Anonymous Coward writes:

Researchers at MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research are closing that information gap by developing a tiny biochemical sensor [rtoz.org] that can be implanted in cancerous tissue during the initial biopsy.

The sensor then wirelessly sends data about telltale biomarkers to an external “reader” device, allowing doctors to better monitor a patient’s progress and adjust dosages or switch therapies accordingly. Making cancer treatments more targeted and precise would boost their efficacy while reducing patients’ exposure to serious side effects.

Their research is featured in a paper in the journal Lab on a Chip [rsc.org] that has been published online.

The sensors developed by the researchers provide real-time, on-demand data concerning two biomarkers linked to a tumor’s response to treatment: pH and dissolved oxygen.

The sensor housing, made of a biocompatible plastic, is small enough to fit into the tip of a biopsy needle. It contains 10 microliters of chemical contrast agents typically used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and an on-board circuit to communicate with the external reader device.

The team successfully tested the sensors in lab experiments, including implanting them in rodents. While the sensors were only implanted for a few weeks, the researchers believed they could be used to monitor a person’s health over many years.

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