Russian Scientists Develop a Device That Detects Cancer with High Accuracy

Russian scientists have developed an advanced biosensor capable of detecting cancer with high accuracy through the analysis of saliva.

According to media reports, this innovation represents a promising step toward early and non-invasive diagnosis of cancerous diseases.

Researchers from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, the Institute of General Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Sirius University, and the Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology stated that the new device features unprecedented sensitivity, enabling it to detect extremely low concentrations of tumor marker proteins in human saliva. The results of the study were published in the scientific journal Microchimica Acta.

The device is based on aptamer technology—short strands of DNA that selectively bind to specific proteins—allowing precise detection of tumor markers, particularly carcinoembryonic antigen, at ultra-low concentrations as small as 0.1 femtograms per milliliter.

The scientists emphasized that early cancer diagnosis is a global priority to reduce mortality and disability rates. They noted that relying on easily accessible biological fluids such as saliva offers a practical alternative to traditional blood tests, despite the fact that marker concentrations in saliva are thousands of times lower—a challenge overcome by the new device thanks to its high sensitivity.

They explained that the sensor operates in a dual-mode system, functioning either as a field-effect transistor or as an electrochemical system. This flexibility expands the measurement range, reduces errors, and enhances the reliability of diagnostic results, while allowing the analysis to be completed in just two minutes.

The researchers pointed out that this innovation could open new horizons for the development of fast and accurate diagnostic tools for diseases of major public health importance. In the future, it may also enable patients to monitor cancer treatment from home using portable medical devices, marking a significant breakthrough in healthcare and early diagnosis.