Technology tamfitronics
Dr. Ho Sang Jung and his research team at the Korea Institute of Materials Science have pioneered a groundbreaking sensor material that leverages artificial intelligence to detect cancer metabolites in body fluids with exceptional sensitivity. This non-invasive approach offers a swift and precise method for diagnosing cancer, eliminating the need for traditional blood tests and biopsies.
In collaboration with Professor Soo Woong Yoo of Chonnam National University Hospital, the team successfully diagnosed colorectal cancer using a plasmonic needle to analyze tumor composition without causing bleeding, marking a significant advancement in cancer diagnosis.
The team has developed a groundbreaking technology in collaboration with Professor Byung-Ho Chung at Samsung Medical Center, which collects saliva from lung cancer patients to determine the cancer’s stage. By analyzing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the breath of lung cancer patients, the technology can accurately categorize the cancer stage. These VOCs dissolve in saliva and are detected as lung cancer metabolites.
Utilizing paper-based sensors and artificial intelligence, the team has perfected a technology that can distinguish between healthy individuals and lung cancer patients, as well as accurately stage the cancer.
Furthermore, there are numerous accounts of dogs alerting their owners to health issues, including cancer, by detecting specific odors. Leveraging the sensitive sense of smell in dogs, the team aimed to replicate this principle in a cancer diagnostic sensor.
The technology is capable of detecting metabolite signals in body fluids with exceptional sensitivity using plasmonic materials, which amplify Raman signals by over 100 million times without the need for conventional, complex, and expensive equipment. This, combined with artificial intelligence analysis and mathematical modeling calculations, has enabled the identification of potential biomarkers for diagnosis.
“The developed technology can be expanded not only to diagnose cancer but also to diseases with poorly understood diagnostics, such as synaptic diseases. We will enter the global diagnostic market based on domestic source technologies and take the lead in developing technologies that people can experience,” said Dr. Ho Sang Jung, who is leading this project.
Last year, The research team successfully developed a cutting-edge cancer diagnosis technology using urine, which has been transferred to SOLUM Healthcare. SOLUM Healthcare is currently in the process of licensing the technology for product applications. Remarkably, the technology has advanced to the point where it can simultaneously detect multiple cancers in urine samples.
In a recent study, the research team analyzed urine samples from around 250 patients with pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. Their rapid analysis, powered by artificial intelligence, yielded results within just 2 hours for 100 patients. Furthermore, the team achieved clinical sensitivity and specificity of over 98%, marking a significant advancement in cancer diagnostics.
Journal reference:
- Vo Thi Nhat Linh, Hongyoon Kim, Min-Young Lee, Jungho Mun, Yeseul Kim, Byeong-Ho Jeong, Sung-Gyu Park, Dong-Ho Kim, Junsuk Rho, Ho Sang Jung. 3D plasmonic hexaplex paper sensor for label-free human saliva sensing and machine learning-assisted early-stage lung cancer screening. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115779
