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A new cancer-spotting tool being developed by a University at Buffalo-led team of researchers works quickly, reliably and inexpensively, without hospital visits or lab tests. The technology could bring big benefits to health care providers, and patients, in developing countries—or any place where medical facilities are few and far between.

The tool, which uses a unique gold biosensor created by the team, won’t completely replace advanced diagnostics. But it could increase the early detection of cancer, a key factor in successful treatment.

The biosensor pairs with a laptop or smartphone and other inexpensive tools to detect cancer biomarkers from a blood sample. In experiments, researchers mounted the biosensor onto a glass slide, placed blood samples from lung cancer patients on top of the biosensor, and then shined an LED light onto the sample and sensor.

The idea was that the cancer biomarkers in the blood would bind to the biosensor, causing the intensity of the light to change. They did—and by measuring the light intensity before and after applying the blood sample, researchers were able to spot them. They then replicated the results with a smartphone, mounting the biosensor to the phone’s camera.

 “Smartphones and computers are increasingly common in places where basic health care is not,” says co-lead author Qiaoqiang Gan, associate professor of electrical engineering at UB. “Our system takes advantage of that.”

“Preliminary tests show our system is about as effective as the diagnostic tests that many hospitals use,” adds co-lead author Yun Wu, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at UB. “We’re hoping to refine the system and get it into the hands of people who need it the most, because the earlier we detect cancer, the better the treatment outcomes are.”