New cell-collection device could improve early cancer detection

Ovarian cancer often remains undetected until it reaches advanced stages, with a poor five-year survival rate. Early detection is crucial, as high-grade serous ovarian cancer, the most common type, originates in the fallopian tubes. Researchers at MIT, Johns Hopkins University, and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have developed a handheld device to collect living cells from specific regions of removed fallopian tubes.

The device enables targeted sampling of tissue, improving early detection and personalized treatment. By applying shear stress through a microfluidic channel, the device gently detaches living cells, allowing for cultivation and testing. The technique may aid in diagnosing and treating ovarian and other cancers more effectively.