Canadian researchers create technology that reads cancer biomarker like a blood-sugar monitor. Researchers at the Canadian McMaster and Brock universities have created the prototype for a smartphone device to measure a biomarker for cancer, paving the way for home-based cancer monitoring and to improve access to diagnostic testing.

The device works much like the monitors that diabetics use to test their blood-sugar levels and could be used in a medical clinic or at home, all without lab work, greatly simplifying the process for testing blood for cancer’s signature.

The system involves DNA/antibody complexes that bind to the target protein in the sample. This avoids the need for long multi-step assays that require time and bulky equipment, and will work with unprocessed human plasma samples.

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