Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a groundbreaking blood test for diagnosing lung cancer, which is ten times faster and fourteen times more sensitive than previous methods.

The microchip identifies signs of lung cancer by capturing exosomes, which are tiny packets released by cells that can indicate the presence of the disease.

The detection method leverages circular dichroism, which measures the differential response of chiral proteins to polarized light, enhancing the sensitivity of the test.

The researchers plan to initially use the CDEXO chip alongside traditional diagnostic methods, with aspirations for broader applications in early cancer screening.

This innovative diagnostic tool, known as the CDEXO chip, utilizes gold nanoparticles to capture exosomes from blood samples, enabling the detection of cancer-specific mutations.

In experiments, plasma exosomes from late-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients significantly increased mRNA levels of oncogenic targets, highlighting the potential of exosomal miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers.

Recent advancements in non-coding RNA (ncRNA) research indicate that specific ncRNAs correlate with advanced disease stages and metastasis, suggesting their utility in monitoring disease progression.

Exosomes, previously considered cellular waste, are now recognized for their critical role in cell communication and metastasis, effectively 'conditioning the soil' for cancer spread.

Lung cancer remains a major global health issue, accounting for millions of new cases and deaths annually, with high mortality rates often linked to late-stage diagnosis.

The urgency of lung cancer research is underscored by the fact that NSCLCs make up over 85% of lung cancer cases, emphasizing the need for effective early detection methods.

Key miRNAs such as MiR-21 and MiR-34 play significant roles in lung cancer, influencing tumor growth and resistance to apoptosis, thus representing potential therapeutic targets.

The study was conducted at the Lurie Nanofabrication Facility and Michigan Center for Materials Characterization, with contributions from the Rogel Cancer Center, showcasing a collaborative effort in advancing lung cancer diagnostics.