April 2022 Digital Health Round Up

This month the advances in technology, from the pages of a science fiction novel, are offering great hope in cancer detection and treatment. A new laser microscope is being used to make cancer cell detection more precise, improving patient outcomes. Robotic technology is being used by doctors to give patients the best chance of surviving one of the deadliest cancers, lung cancer. Scientists have discovered innovative technology using the gene editing tool, CRISPR, to study the genetic makeup of tumors which can provide valuable information about immunotherapy for cancer treatment.

New Laser Scanning Microscope Improves Cancer Cell Detection

Removing a cancerous tumor involves removing all the cancerous cells while causing as little damage as possible to the surrounding tissue. Laser Scanning Oncology Project (LSC-Onco) uses laser scanning microscopes and tumor markers to achieve this. A fluorescent marker applied beforehand allows doctors to see any cancer cells that may be left behind after the incision. Then these cells can be completely removed with great precision reports MedicalXpress.com . Doctors can do this procedure and remove any remaining cancer cells before leaving the operating room. Scientists have developed a fluorescent tumor marker liquid that will make the cancer cells glow under the microscope, making it easier to see and remove the cells. This technology allows for time saving precision during the operation, giving the cancer patients a better recovery and outcome. Find more information here.

Robotic Technology Helping to Discover and Remove Cancer

Lung cancer is the deadliest type of cancer because of its low long term survivability rate. Early detection gives patients diagnosed with this type of cancer the best chance of treatment and a good outcome. Doctors at Baycare St. Anthony’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida use a CT scan in combination with the DaVinci Surgical Robot to help patients with lung cancer. The ion robot has allowed us to reach out further into the lung where we were unable to previously reports abcactionnews.com . By going into the lung further, this allows for a more accurate biopsy and earlier detection. This technology is already showing reliable results for patients and is being expanded for use in another hospital. Find more information here.

New Genomics Technology Could Power Gene Therapy in Oncology

Using CRISP-R, which is a gene editing tool to study and alter DNA, this innovative technology uses protein barcodes to study the genetic makeup of cancerous tumors in a more detailed way. The Pro-Code system is the basis for their spatial functional genomics technology called Perturb-map reports Biospace.com. Perturb-map allows scientist to look at thousands of genes on cancer at the same time. Using this information, scientists can learn how to change the tumors’ environment to allow drugs to turn on T cells to help fight the cancer. They can also use this technology to learn what genes are causing drug resistance. This can be used to help the doctor and patient learn who will respond to what immunotherapies. This technology and the information gained will make an enormous impact on the future of cancer treatment. Find more information here.