A nanoneedle patch developed by researchers at King's College London promises to revolutionize the way biopsies are performed, offering a painless and less invasive alternative for millions of patients worldwide. The patch, which contains tens of millions of microscopic needles 1,000 times thinner than a human hair, could soon replace traditional biopsies used to detect and monitor diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's.
Traditional biopsies are invasive procedures that involve removing small fragments of tissue, often causing pain and potential complications like bleeding or infection. These drawbacks can dissuade patients from seeking early diagnosis or follow-up tests. The new nanoneedle patch aims to address these issues by providing a method that is both painless and non-destructive to tissues.
"Our technology opens up a world of possibilities for people with brain cancer, Alzheimer's, and for advancing personalized medicine," said Dr. Ciro Chiappini, who led the research team, according to Phys.org. "This could be the beginning of the end of painful biopsies."
The research team applied the nanoneedle patch to brain cancer tissue taken from human biopsies and mouse models. The nanoneedles penetrate the tissue painlessly without causing any damage, extracting molecular "fingerprints"—including lipids, proteins, and mRNA—from the cells. This process allows for detailed insights into the presence of a tumor, its response to treatment, and disease progression at the cellular level.
"This approach provides multidimensional molecular information from different types of cells within the same tissue. Traditional biopsies simply cannot do that," Dr. Chiappini explained. "Since the process does not destroy the tissue, we can sample the same tissue multiple times, which was previously impossible."
The nanoneedle technology could also be utilized during brain surgery to assist surgeons in making faster, more precise decisions. By applying the patch to a suspicious area during surgery, doctors can obtain data in just 20 minutes, guiding real-time decisions about the precise removal of cancerous tissue.
Manufactured using the same techniques as computer chips, the nanoneedles can be integrated into common medical devices such as bandages, endoscopes, and contact lenses. The versatility suggests that the technology could find applications across a wide range of medical fields.
Because the method does not damage the tissue, the same area can be sampled multiple times, allowing for repeated tests that are impossible with traditional biopsies. The capability represents an advancement over standard methods, which limit the frequency and accuracy with which doctors can analyze diseased organs, especially those that are hard to access, like the brain.
Dr. Chiappini noted, "It will allow scientists—and later doctors—to study diseases in real-time like never before." He added, "Our development can change the approach to the diagnosis of brain cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and personalized medicine as a whole."
The patch was reported in the international journal Nature Nanotechnology. The development was made possible by close collaboration between nanoengineering, clinical oncology, cellular biology, and artificial intelligence. Each field contributed essential tools and perspectives that, together, unlocked this new approach to non-invasive diagnostics.
The tissue imprint collected by the nanoneedles is analyzed using mass spectrometry and artificial intelligence. The analysis provides healthcare teams with detailed information about the presence of a tumor, its response to treatment, and disease progression at the cellular level. These results could guide real-time decisions about the removal of cancerous tissue.
The study was supported by the European Research Council through its flagship Starting Grant programme, Wellcome Leap, and UKRI's EPSRC and MRC, which enabled the acquisition of key analytical instrumentation.
"This breakthrough could mean earlier diagnosis and more regular monitoring, transforming how diseases are tracked and treated," Dr. Chiappini said. "Our technology opens new avenues for diagnosing and monitoring diseases safely and painlessly, helping doctors and patients make better and faster decisions."
As traditional biopsies can discourage patients from seeking early diagnosis due to the associated pain and risk of complications, the nanoneedle patch offers an alternative. By eliminating the need to remove tissue and allowing for repeatable, real-time analysis, this technology has the potential to improve patient outcomes and advance personalized medicine.
The nanoneedles are made using manufacturing techniques similar to those used in producing computer chips, ensuring precise and scalable production. Their ability to be integrated into common medical devices enhances their potential impact on day-to-day clinical practices.
Dr. Chiappini, reflecting on the journey of developing the technology over twelve years, stated, "We have been working on nanoneedles for twelve years, but this is our most exciting development yet." He continued, "This could revolutionize how we diagnose and monitor diseases, making the process safer and more comfortable for patients."
The research team is hopeful that the innovation will lead to widespread adoption in medical settings, ultimately replacing painful and invasive biopsy procedures. "Early diagnosis and monitoring of diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease will become easier in the future," they stated. "We expect it to replace painful biopsies."
Written with the help of a news-analysis system.