Microscopic fiber sensors for real-time cancer detection
Hair-thin sensors capable of tracking multiple biomarkers simultaneously could transform how diseases such as cancer are diagnosed, monitored and treated.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide’s Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (Australia) and the University of Stuttgart (Germany) have developed microscopic sensors that could transform cancer diagnosis. Created using ultrafast 3D micro-printing, the devices are as thin as a strand of human hair and enable real-time monitoring of multiple biomarkers within the body, including temperature and chemical changes.
Early and accurate detection of cancer remains a major challenge in modern medicine. Existing technologies typically measure a single biomarker at a time, owing to biological variability and tumor heterogeneity, which limits clinicians’ ability to distinguish cancer from other conditions and slows diagnosis and treatment decisions. The ability to capture multiple biochemical and physical parameters simultaneously, demonstrated with this new device, represents a significant advancement.
“It’s very difficult to measure or detect different signals coming from a living environment such as the human body simultaneously. When you can only measure one biomarker at a time, it’s hard to determine if the cause of the change is cancer or another issue. This is why our method is so revolutionary, as it enables us to provide precise information immediately to medical professionals,” explained lead researcher and Associate Professor Shahraam Afshar from the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing.
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The technology works by identifying molecular changes associated with cancer. When certain molecules interact with cancer-related by-products, they emit light. By measuring variations in this light, the sensors can indicate the presence and concentration of cancer cells.
Published in Advanced Optical Materials, the results demonstrate that the sensors can deliver clear, reliable data in a minimally invasive way, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy and patient monitoring.
Supported by a recent US $1.32 million Australian Research Council Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities grant, the team plans to expand the technology’s capabilities and collaborate with healthcare providers. With further development, the sensors could enter clinical use within the next decade, laying the groundwork for compact, multi-analyte and real-time medical diagnostics.
“This breakthrough could lead to next-generation medical tools that track disease, guide treatment and monitor the body in real time. The sensors are able to provide reliable and clear information about the presence of disease in a minimally invasive way. This opens the pathway for smarter tools in healthcare, environmental monitoring and wearable technology,” commented Afshar.
