This paper introduces the SmartCM, a label-free microfluidic biosensor designed for the non-invasive and cost-effective detection of metastatic cancer status using urine biopsies. The biosensor utilizes nematode movement visualization, allowing for rapid results within 60 minutes and requiring only 1 mL of urine. Validation of the SmartCM was conducted with 30 breast cancer patients (both metastatic and non-metastatic) and 6 healthy controls, demonstrating high sensitivity (87.5%) and a significant chemotaxis index (CI) difference, with metastatic patients showing a CI value 2.9 times higher than non-metastatic patients. The study also identified that the nematode's preference for urine samples from metastatic patients correlated with lower concentrations of urea and L-proline. Enhanced with an amplification system for automated operations, the SmartCM platform facilitates portable analysis, paving the way for remote or home-based testing that could complement clinical assays and enable timely interventions in cancer care.
For more info, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2023.134485
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