Canary Foundation Commits to Supporting New Platform for Cancer D...(am -- translating to earlier detection f...),Health

In a recent PLoS Medicine article, Dr. Patrick Brown of the Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, attests most ovarian tumors are the size of an onion when identified. Dr. Brown also concludes that if given sufficient lead-time, ovarian cancer can be detected, but current tests are insufficient in sensitivity. The magneto-nanosensor presents the sensitivity necessary to identify tumors at the size of a blueberry.

The development of the magneto-nanosensor validates the opportunity for early detection cancer research. With effective, yet inexpensive equipment -- the magneto-nanosensor can be made affordable in the data industry because it is a chip -- early detection cancer testing will be accessible.

The chips are 1.2 cm x 1 cm, each containing an array of 64 magnetoresistive sensors, that can test a diverse range of biological fluids, such as blood, urine, and saliva. Because the chip has 64 sensors, it would allow for multiple tests for multiple types of cancer to occur simultaneously. The chip is also microfluidic, signifying that only a drop or 2 of blood are necessary for the test.

We envision that each disease-detection will require 4 to 8 biomarkers. Because the chip could produce 64 tests at once, it could detect 8 to 16 cancers simultaneously, giving us complete coverage of all major types of tumors.

The ability to detect a range of cancers 3 to 6 months earlier will help in prevention and treatment, while also decreasing the false-positive tests that are currently a bi-product of so many cancer screening tests. Our goal is to have this technology in our laboratories in 2010. Canary Foundation's intention is to
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