Pre-emptive lung cancer detection may be possible with novel device

A novel sensing device shows potential for detecting lung cancer before symptoms appear.

Developed by a team of researchers from Cranfield University in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK, the platform is based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and designed to screen for two lung cancer biomarkers, namely carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), in a blood sample.

“CEA is a human glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion… known as one of the most specific and reliable biomarkers with a cutoff value around 5–7 ng/mL. The concentration level of CEA arises in serum after cancer incidence and during its progression, reaching levels higher than 100 ng/mL,” the researchers noted. [Sens Actuators B Chem 2013;188:988-998; Lung Cancer 2012;76:138-143]

Meanwhile, NSE is a reliable marker in the diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up of small-cell lung cancer, with its concentration correlating with tumour burden, number of metastatic sites, and response to treatment, they added. “NSE serum concentration range in healthy individuals is between 5 and 12 ng/mL, and it rises significantly in the presence of cancer (>100 ng/mL in patients with SCLC, and nearly 1 µg/mL in those with late-stage cancer).” [Biosci Rep 2021;41:BSR20210866; World J Surg Oncol 2020;18:116; Anal Chem 2015;87:4237-4244]

The sensing device employs screen-printed gold electrodes and magnetic nanobeads and leverages magnetic manipulation. Antibody-coated magnetic nanobeads capture target biomarkers, which are then magnetically transported to screen-printed gold electrodes for electrochemical analysis, the researchers explained.

Experiments showed the device was able to measure concentrations of CEA and NSE (0–100 ng/mL) in both phosphate buffer and 100% human serum samples within 40 minutes. In serum samples specifically, the device detected biomarkers at levels significantly below clinical thresholds of 5 ng/mL for CEA and 12 ng/mL for NSE. The detection limits were 0.76 ng/mL and 0.52 ng/mL, respectively. [Biosensors 2024;14:624]

Furthermore, minimal cross-reactivity was observed, with the device able to distinguish target proteins at a concentration of 5 ng/mL from non-target proteins at 100 ng/mL.

“We [believe] that the CEA and NSE biosensors could be used in the future for point-of-care testing in clinical settings (eg, medical centres and hospitals) where a small amount of patients’ blood (<1 mL) could be withdrawn, filtered quickly to obtain serum, and dispensed on the immunosensors for biomarker quantification,” the researchers said.

They emphasized that the integration of EIS into the sensing device brings multiple benefits, including label-free detection, cost effectiveness, robustness, portability, and ease of use, while eliminating the need for expensive reagents and specialized training for operators.

“At the moment, lung cancer screening tests can be expensive and take a long time. Although in its early stages, the sensor we have developed holds great promise for early detection, which can lead to prompt treatments with higher patient survival rates,” said one of the researchers Dr Iva Chianella.