An Integrated circuit (IC) has been developed by Japan’s Toray Industries, which can detect cancer from a single drop of blood. The IC enables to detect certain microRNA that occurs with cancer.
Different kinds of microRNA are produced by cancer cells. These microRNA are specific to a particular type of cancer, allowing the test to determine which type of cancer has been detected.
The test requires only 50 microlitres of blood and can detect different cancer-types in one go. Toray is to apply for accelerated permission to sell a cancer screening test requiring one drop of blood and costing $92, reports the Nikkei.
Under Japan’s accelerated approvals procedure, the screening test could be on sale in six months.
