The newly developed static droplet microfluidic device. Photo source: Australian researchers of the Physicist Organization Network have developed a new device that can detect and analyze cancer cells in blood samples, enabling doctors to avoid invasive surgery to detect cancer and monitor treatment progress. Relevant research was published in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics published on the 1st. In the 1920s, Otto Warburg found that cancer cells consume a large amount of glucose, thus producing more lactic acid. This new device monitors the increase of lactic acid in a single cell by detecting the acidic pH sensitive fluorescent dye around the cell. There may be a tumor cell in the billions of blood cells in a milliliter of blood, which is difficult to find. However, the new detection technology has 38400 cells, which can isolate the number of active tumor cells. Once the tumor cells are identified, scientists can conduct genetic and molecular analysis, which is helpful for the diagnosis and classification of cancer and provides information for personalized treatment plans. In addition, tumor cells in circulation are also precursors of metastasis, which is the cause of 90% cancer-related deaths. Studying these cells can deeply understand the biological principle of cancer metastasis and provide information for new therapies. The researchers said that accurate cancer diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, but biopsy will bring discomfort to patients and increase the risk and cost of surgical complications. It is much less invasive to manage cancer by evaluating tumor cells in blood samples than tissue biopsy. The doctor can repeat the test and monitor the patient's response to the treatment. In addition, the latest technology does not rely on high-end equipment and operators, which will enable doctors to diagnose and monitor cancer patients in a cost-effective manner. The team has applied for a temporary patent for the latest device and plans to commercialize it. (Xinhua News Agency)