Innovative Wearable Sticker Monitors Tumor Size for Real-time Cancer Treatment Tracking

A stretchy, smart device offers at-home monitoring, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment assessment

NEWS  Science  January 26, 2024  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

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Researchers at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan have unveiled a revolutionary wearable device that could transform the way we monitor and assess the effectiveness of cancer treatments. The device, described as a "smart, flexible sticker", adheres to the skin and provides real-time information about the size of tumors just beneath the surface.

Traditionally, doctors rely on periodic check-ups to gauge the response of tumors to treatment. However, the newly developed wearable, crafted from soft and stretchy plastic, opens the door to continuous, at-home tracking of cancerous growth. Lead researcher Hsing-Wen Sung and his team infused the plastic with spindle-shaped particles, measuring approximately 100 nanometers in length, composed of oxygen and a silvery metal known as hafnium.

As the tumor grows, the flexible sticker adjusts to accommodate its changing size, altering the arrangement of nanoparticles and consequently modifying the material's electrical properties. This innovative approach allows for the accurate monitoring of tumor development over time.

 

In experimental trials conducted on mice, the researchers demonstrated the device's ability to precisely track the progression of tumors, akin to the size of a grain of rice, within a span of seven days.

  DR. HSING-WEN SUNG 

According to Parag Mallick at Stanford University in California, such devices could empower both doctors and patients to swiftly assess the efficacy of treatments and respond promptly to any significant changes in the tumor's condition.

However, it's essential to note that the device's current design restricts its applicability to tumors located just beneath the skin. Tumors situated deeper within the body pose a challenge, requiring a substantial redesign to make the technology universally effective, as observed by Mallick.

The potential implications of this stretchy, smart sticker are immense, offering a glimpse into a future where cancer patients can actively participate in monitoring their treatment progress from the comfort of their homes.

As the field of wearable technology continues to advance, this innovation stands as a testament to the transformative power of merging healthcare with cutting-edge technologies.

 COVER IMAGE BY VECTORJUICE ON FREEPIK