Biomagnetic Imaging Could Detect Early Stage Breast Cancer

Novel nanomedicine technology is capable of detecting breast cancer three years earlier than a conventional mammogram.

The nanomedicine biomagnetic imaging technique uses highly sensitive superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) as sensors to measure extremely small magnetic fields emitted by nanoparticles that have been injected into the body, targeted specifically toward cancer cells. The subsequent readings acquired by the SQUID sensors yield high contrast images of tumors, making it possible to identify and image tiny clusters of cancer cells when compared to surrounding normal cells. The novel technique detects only nanoparticles bound to targeted cells, and is not sensitive to unbound ones. The biomagnetic detection method is applicable to breast, ovarian, leukemia, prostate and potentially to many other types of cancer, and does not involve the use of ionizing radiation.

The biomagnetic imaging technique is based on "early cancer detection” technology developed by Edward R. Flynn, Ph.D., who has received five grants from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH; Bethesda, MD, USA) for research in nanomedicine areas ranging from Alzheimer's disease (AD) to cancer detection. The exclusive commercial rights for the manufacturing and marketing of the technology have been acquired by Manhattan Scientifics (MHTX; Albuquerque, NM, USA), currently seeking a partner to commercialize the technology.

"We believe early detection of cancer can be critical to effective treatment. Current mammography cannot detect a breast cancer tumor until it has grown to over ten million cells,” said Manny Tsoupanarias, CEO of Manhattan Scientifics. "Dr. Flynn's technology has proven the ability to detect breast cancer tumors only 1% that large, resulting in a hundred-fold increase in sensitivity and early detection.”

Nanomedicine is commonly used to describe the convergence of nanotechnology and pharmacology, and has been defined as "the science and technology of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease and traumatic injury, or relieving pain, and of preserving and improving human health, using molecular tools and molecular knowledge of the human body” by the European Science Foundation (Strasbourg, France).

Related Links:
U.S. National Institutes of Health
Manhattan Scientifics
European Science Foundation