Chinese scientists have developed a handheld device that can detect early signs of lung cancer from a single drop of blood, according to a study published in the journal ACS Nano in 2025. The device uses a microfluidic chip to analyze biomarkers in the blood, providing results in minutes.
The research, led by Professor Zhang Wei at Southeast University in Nanjing, was reported by state media Xinhua on May 20, 2025. The device is designed to be portable and user-friendly, potentially allowing for screening in remote areas without access to bulky laboratory equipment.
In clinical tests, the device achieved a detection accuracy of over 90% for early-stage lung cancer, according to the study. However, the researchers noted that larger trials are needed before the device can be approved for widespread clinical use.
The development represents a significant step toward non-invasive, rapid cancer screening, but experts caution that it is not yet a replacement for standard diagnostic methods like CT scans or biopsies.
