Insect Olfactory Receptor-Expressing Sensor Cells for Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis Using Urine Samples.
Scientists engineered sensor cells using insect smell receptors to detect colorectal cancer signatures in urine with 80% accuracy, offering a potential non-invasive screening path.
This study developed a non-invasive CRC diagnostic tool using engineered sensor cells expressing insect-derived olfactory receptors (ORs) that detect volatile organic compounds in urine, combined with machine learning analysis of luminescence time-series data. Screening 483 ORs against 150 participants (75 CRC, 75 controls) identified a diagnostic model with 80% sensitivity and ROC-AUC 0.84, establishing OR-based biosensors as a novel class of urine-based liquid biopsy.
What the study was
- Study design
- Proof-of-concept diagnostic study with ML classification
- Population
- Colorectal cancer patients and non-cancer controls in Japan
- Sample size
- 150
- Category
- Early Detection
- Maturity
- Exploratory
- Journal
- Cancer Medicine
Why it surfaced
Genuinely novel OR biosensor mechanism for CRC detection via urine (non-invasive); proof-of-concept n=150 delivers solid AUC 0.84 but requires prospective multicenter validation before clinical application. PMC full text reviewed.
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