IISc's New Technique Enables Early Detection of Liver Cancer.

IISc Scientists Develop Cost-Effective Sensor for Early Liver Cancer Detection

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a cutting-edge luminescent probe that could transform the early detection of liver cancer. The sensor uses terbium, a rare earth metal, to detect the enzyme β-glucuronidase, a key biomarker not only for liver cancer but also colon, breast, and kidney cancers, as well as conditions like UTIs and AIDS.

Traditional detection methods often lack sensitivity or are affected by background noise. The IISc team’s probe overcomes this by leveraging terbium's long-lived excited states, enabling it to filter out interference and provide a clearer signal.

The breakthrough came when researchers combined terbium ions with a bile salt-based gel, resulting in a bright green luminescent reaction. They then introduced 2,3-DHN, masked with glucuronic acid. When β-glucuronidase is present, it cleaves the mask, releasing 2,3-DHN, which absorbs UV light and transfers energy to terbium, significantly amplifying the fluorescence.

To make the tool user-friendly, the team embedded the gel on paper discs. Under UV light, these discs glow green if β-glucuronidase is present, and the signal can be analysed using basic tools like a UV lamp and ImageJ software—making the test suitable for low-resource settings.

The sensor has a high sensitivity threshold, detecting levels well below those seen in advanced liver cancer. Though clinical validation is still required, scientists believe this technology could drastically cut screening costs and boost early detection rates.