Before symptoms appear? The new development for detecting ovarian cancer

MIT researchers have developed a handheld device for collecting live cells from tissues without destroying the surrounding environment. The technology may aid in early detection of ovarian cancer, which is often diagnosed at advanced stages. The device has been tested on surgically removed tissues; it has not yet been proven as a routine diagnostic tool.

Researchers at MIT, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University, have developed a handheld device that allows the collection of live cells from precise areas of tissue without destroying the surrounding tissue. The development, presented in an official MIT announcement, may aid in early detection of ovarian cancer – a disease often diagnosed at advanced stages due to the lack of clear symptoms in its early stages. The device is based on controlled flow of a fluid that adheres to the tissue and gently detaches live cells. In experiments on human fallopian tube tissues removed during surgery, researchers successfully collected live cells and grew tiny three-dimensional structures for studying diseases and testing treatments. However, the device has not yet been proven capable of diagnosing cancer at an early stage in routine screening. The researchers hope for future integration with technologies for identifying suspicious areas.