1st semester

calamba doctors’ college

AY 2022 - 23

Mazon, Dinah Melisse P. September 17, 2022

BSMT 1-B Sir Hyginus Christian Paul T. Aguiluz

Journal Review

Micro-filter device capable of detecting trace amounts of cancer cells in one mililiter of blood
by Kumamoto University, 2021.

I. Summary

A research group in Kumamoto University has developed a micro-filter device that is capable of
detecting trace amounts of cancer cells in one mL of blood. The micro filter device in the shape
of a palm will be a huge contribution to the development of new cancer diagnostic technologies
based on the cancer cells circulating in the blood, this includes the early diagnosis of cancers
that are unable to be determined or detected by imaging like Positron Emission Tomography
and Computed Tomography scan, postoperative follow-up, monitoring of possible recurrence
and tailor-made treatments.

II. Reflection

We cannot deny the fact that cancer cells can be very hard to detect due to its extremely low
count in the blood. Sometimes, cancer cells can be present for months or years in the body
without showing any kind of signs or symptoms. And once we detect it, it will be too late for the
patient. But thanks to the unique micro-filter device that the research group from Kumamoto
University invented, it is now easier to distinguish and capture the Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC)
from the red or white blood cells.

CTCs that have been separated from the main cancer site can be found in small levels in the
blood of cancer patients. These cells are small in number per milliliter compared to red or white
blood cells that reaches billions, which makes it challenging to distinguish and detect them. But

Prepared by: 1
HYGINUS CHRISTIAN PAUL T. AGUILUZ
 1st semester
calamba doctors’ college
AY 2022 - 23

Kumamoto University has found a way to easily and practically detect them by inventing a low
cost micro-filter device. This apparatus is just about the size of our palm. It amazes me how this
device can be small, but highly efficient in tracing cancer cells due to its utilization of nucleic
acid aptamers, which bind specifically and strongly to target molecules which enables size-
selective and affinity-selective separation and capture of tiny cancer cells.

Even though the CTC count in the blood is extremely low, researchers identified that the micro-
filter device has a high and better accuracy of filtering the cancer cells from the blood
compared to the regular cancer diagnostic devices that already exists. It is quite heart-warming
to know that we could lessen the burden of a patient because of this invention, we could now
easily identify cancer cells with just a blood test.

III. Application to Medical Technology Profession

This device will be extremely helpful to the field of Medical Technology because even at a
concentration of just five cancer cells in one mL of healthy blood, it could easily detect and filter
cancer cells even if there are about a billion of red and white blood cells in a mL of blood. The
device proved to have a very high detection capability, and the good thing about this is that it is
inexpensive and convenient, better than any large equipment. It will be a huge contribution to
the development of new cancer diagnostic technologies, and it is expected to be adopted for
cancer diagnoses and treatments, this includes the early diagnosis of cancers that are unable to
be determined or detected by imaging like Positron Emission Tomography and Computed
Tomography scan, postoperative follow-up, recurrence monitoring and tailor-made treatments.

We all know that cancer cell detection tools have been developed in the past, but their practical
implementation has been hindered by the need for expensive tools and supplies, making it
intangible for a lot of people. This has prevented its widespread application to the world. In
addition, researchers discovered that the micro-filter excluded nearly all of the blood cells it
encountered, with a clearance rate of more than 98%. It has a strong aptitude for selective
detection. Additionally, they demonstrated through a comparative analysis that the device was
more accurate than other devices at detecting cancer cells.

Prepared by: 2
HYGINUS CHRISTIAN PAUL T. AGUILUZ