The UTEC has been developing this project known as lab on a chipwhich today has passed several evidence to be used by Peruvians.
The type of model is also known as microelectromechanical or microdispositive system based on microfluidic. Its operation is like a pregnancy test, which is already more than 50 years old.
Julio Valdivia, who is in charge of the project, explained that it is not a system that diagnoses cancer: the purpose is to address the progression of the disease.
“It is designed to avoid this progression of the disease towards a metastasis. How to do something to monitor? There the point arises: there is a correlation between the advance of the disease, from the individual diagnosed, between the number of circulating tumor cells and the probability of metastasis “explains in communication with Commerce.
He explained that during the cancer process in a diagnosed person, due to different factors, the primary tumor begins to release circulating tumor cells that go to the blood that has the possibility of invading other tissues. “And that is called metastasis. And that is what is finally lethal for the patient. It is precisely stadium four”said.
This situation has led to the creation of a chip that can monitor cancer progression, anticipate complications.
The technology behind
To date, the most common technological method to follow the progress of cancer is the observation of images through tomograph tests.
However, there are several problems for its use, such as cost and opportunity. UTEC researchers identified that in a first test it can be shown that there is no progress of cancer, but for a next evaluation it can be too late.
The novel method seeks to quantify circulating tumor cells.
“We take a person who already has the diagnosis between 5 to 10 ml, this blood is mixed with nanoparticles or antibodies that have a specificity by a marker or two of the tumor cells, and that blood flow is passed through the lab on a chip, that has a system that produces magnetic fields “Valdivia explained about the process.
What the chip does is catch certain cells to give a signal, mark a line that can be evaluated in a microscope, or even on a cell phone. Quantification allows timely alerts to change cancer development.
The chip has only a size between 5 or 6 cm side, made with resin material, and its particular structure with channels allows a specific flow rate.
There is also an energy factor. The sample flow is driven by a microbomb “And you can basically use it with the energy of a cell phone”. Thus you can standardize the flow to activate your necessary magnetic property.
Besides…
Joint work
The Lab On A Chip project has been developed by the UTEC, in alliance with the Cleveland Clinic hospital and its biomedical research area, Lerner Institute. But much of the work has been done in the Laboratories of the UTEC, with the work of the students. They have also found a way to save and using 3D printers can build up to 30 chips per day.
Where can it be applied?
Another problem in cancer treatment is access. The UTEC team detected that there is a lack of tomographs in hospitals inside the country, so the patient’s follow -up is slow.
It is in these areas where you can point the lab on a chip to maintain disease monitoring.
“This device will not detect the disease. It will warn you that the disease is moving forward, you can make the therapy change decisions. The tomograph already gives you a late image, and besides that, it is not in all places, there are only a few hospitals tomographs “the project leader detailed.
The chip developed in the UTEC has passed the preclinical tests, with a sensitivity of almost 100%, and in the specific part it is around 90%and 93%.
The more tests they are done, the system can be perfected more. These evaluations have been done in cases of breast cancer and leukemia.
When could it be finished? “If everything goes well, if we have all the support and there is regulation for this, I am sure we could talk about a few months, maybe a maximum year”said Valdivia, about the project that began in 2018 and is now in the final stage.
Another important detail is that the device also represents an economic option for patients. It will be a matter of time to count on it in hospitals in Peru.