Sentinel, a novel implantable biosensor
A biosensor is defined as a device to detect specific biological analytes through a physical measurable signal. The biological analyte to be detected is also named biomarker, and it is generally a biological molecule that can be found in tissue or in body fluids (such as blood or urine) and which concentration is correlated with the normal or abnormal progress of biological processes, including diseases. In the context of cancer, many biomarkers have been discovered, including a wide variety of molecules such as nucleic acids or proteins, and associated with a cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and response to treatment.
In particular, for prostate cancer, the most common biomarker used for patient screening is the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), as increased values in plasma can be an indicator of the presence of prostate cancer. However, elevated PSA levels do not always predict cancer and both false positives and false negatives are common. Furthermore, current diagnostic tools fail to anticipate disease progression and the onset of metastasis. Hence, more specific, sensitive, and multitargeted biosensors are necessary for the development of accurate diagnostic tools, that can provide earlier cancer detection and better patient monitoring, and radically improve the quality of life of patients and their overall survival.
In the SENTINEL project, a novel implantable biosensor is being developed for the remote monitoring of prostate cancer patients, with the aim of having an early warning of relapse. The development of the new sensor takes advantage of emerging and established technologies including plasmonics, nanotechnology, biomaterials, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, alongside machine learning and artificial intelligence. It is expected that the SENTINEL sensor will show enhanced capabilities for the detection of multiple cancer biomarkers in very low concentrations, and with a very high specificity in a complex matrix, bringing the SENTINEL technology to the forefront of cancer monitoring.
Within the Project Sentinel, INL Team aims to develop the plasmonic sensors that will be encapsulated within the hydrogels, by making use of advanced nanotechnology strategies. INL brings to the consortium strong expertise in vitro testing and micro-and nano-fabrication.
Know more about INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory https://inl.int/ .