Development of a device for detecting brain cancer

• Grant number: 22/14306-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: November 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Agreement: FINEP - Centelha SP Program
• Principal Investigator: Cristiano Ceron Jayme
• Grantee: Cristiano Ceron Jayme
• Company: Diasci Diagnóstico Científico e Soluções Tecnológicas Avançadas Ltda
• CNAE: Pesquisa e desenvolvimento experimental em ciências físicas e naturais
• City: Ribeirão Preto
• Associated research grant(s): 22/16040-0 - Development of a device for detecting brain cancer, AP.PIPE

Abstract

The present project aims to develop a device for diagnosing and monitoring brain cancer (gliomas) in a minimally invasive way, through biomarkers (exosomes) present in the blood. The future device developed can be used in the clinical scenario (in situ), significantly renewing the entire field of medical oncology, in addition to being highly attractive due to its low cost and speed of operation compared to traditional diagnostic methodologies. Currently, the way to detect most brain tumors requires surgery to harvest tissue or perform genetic profiles of tumors to classify the disease and guide the therapy. The brain and spinal cord form the central nervous system (CNS). According to INCA - National Cancer Institute, cancer of the central nervous system represents 1.4 to 1.8% of all malignant tumors in the world, of which about 88% are in the brain. In this way, it is extremely necessary to implement more attractive and less invasive diagnostic alternatives in the market. The suitability of blood-based molecular profiling for detection and monitoring of molecular processes may be able to provide a means for minimally invasive diagnostics, overcoming limitations in the tissue acquisition process. The identification of cancer-specific biomarkers (exosomes) at an early stage can significantly improve the clinical success rate and consequently reduce disease-related mortality. Within this context, the exosomes of interest can be identified through electrochemical devices based on voltammetry techniques, such as: cyclic voltammetry (VC), chronoamperometry (AC), square wave voltammetry (VOQ) and/or differential pulse voltammetry. (DPV). Therefore, the present proposal is organized in: i) Preparation and characterization of the material that will be used in the electrochemical device in order to detect/capture the biomarkers of interest (chemically modified graphene oxide and complexed with copper hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles and DNA) ; ii) Tests using blood, serum and plasma of approximately 30 patients, being 10 healthy patients (no brain tumor reports) and 20 patients with brain tumor (glioma) (10 pre-surgical and with the tumor and 10 post-operative patients - brain tumor surgeons (patient follow-up is extremely important to know if the patient has circulating tumor cells even after the surgical procedure) and iii) Control test using conventional biopsy, with the aim of validating the biosensor in relation to the detection and sensitivity of the biomarker .It is important to note that we have already carried out some initial experiments, such as preparation and basic characterization of the proposed material, as well as its application as an electrochemical biosensor for the detection of exosomes derived from brain cancer (gliomas), which showed sensitivity and selectivity. The experiments performed served as a basis for initial proof of the ideas presented in the present project, associating the competence of the team in the development of the project and in the construction of the proposed electrochemical device, indicating a promising path for the proposal presented. Our proposal, therefore, advocates the research and development of a product that does not exist in the market and with high competitive power to the conventional methods of biopsy that already exist. Enabling the implementation of a portable, low-cost diagnostic device with rapid detection in a minimally invasive way, helping public health and generating wealth for the country, which has significantly lost competitiveness in the high-tech market. (AU)