MIT Researchers Develop Nanoparticles That Can Track Cancer Early

JAKARTA - Most of the tests doctors use to diagnose cancer - such as mammography, colonoscopy, and CT scans - are based on imaging technology. Recently, researchers have also developed molecular diagnostics that can detect certain cancer-related molecules circulating in body fluids such as blood or urine.

MIT engineers have now created a new diagnostic nanoparticle that combines both features of blood and urine. This feature can reveal the presence of cancer proteins through urine tests, and serves as an imaging agent, pinpointing the location of the tumor. In principle, this diagnostic can be used to detect cancer anywhere in the body, including tumors that have metastasized from their original site.

“This is a very broad sensor meant to respond to primary tumors and their metastases. This can trigger urinary signals and also allow us to visualize where the tumor is,” said Sangeeta Bhatia, Professor of Science and Technology at the John and Dorothy Wilson of Health Sciences.

In a new study, Bhatia and colleagues, who are also members of MIT's Koch Institute for Cancer Research, show that diagnostics can be used to monitor the progression of colon cancer. This includes the spread of metastatic tumors to the lungs and liver. Finally, they hope to be developed into a routine cancer test that can be done every year.

Over the past few years, Bhatia has developed cancer diagnostics that work by generating synthetic biomarkers that can be easily detected in urine. Most cancer cells express enzymes called proteases, which help them move out of their original location by cutting proteins from the extracellular matrix.

Bhatia cancer detection nanoparticles are coated with peptides cleaved by this protease. When these particles encounter tumors, the peptides are cleaved and excreted in the urine, where they can be easily detected.

In animal models of lung cancer, these biomarkers can detect the presence of tumors early. However, they did not reveal the exact location of the tumor or whether the tumor had spread beyond its original organs.

The MIT researchers want to develop what they call a "multimodal" diagnostic, which can perform molecular screening (detecting urine signals) and imaging, to tell them exactly where the original and metastatic tumors are.

What they found was certainly very helpful for the medical world. Especially in identifying cancer and its location, early on. The hope will be that many people will be saved by tracking cancer early.