EPR is making its way to clinical studies

It was recently reported by Schaner PE et. all that the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance technique together with a specially designed spin probe called OxyChip can be successfully applied in clinical trials. This is the first reported example of this new approach. The method has the potential to complete the diagnostic and monitoring of the development of several types of cancers.

23 patients with severe cancer were enrolled in the study. OxyChips were implanted inside tumours and then the data was collected for a certain period of time. The signals were successfully obtained in 16 patients. The data directly showed the oxygen concentration in tumours, which allowed the authors to clarify if the cancer is hypoxic. The signals were collected by the surface resonator placed on the skin, where the OxoChip was implanted.


In a conclusion, with the combination of EPR with OxoChip, it is possible to measure the level of oxygen in tumours directly from the patient’s body. The undoubted advantage of this method is repeatable and quick data collection. The uniqueness of the technique is the ability to repeat the measurements many times without the patient’s discomfort.

References:

Philip E. Schaner et.al.: First-In-Human Study in Cancer Patients Establishing the Feasibility of Oxygen Measurements in Tumors Using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance With the OxyChip, Front. Oncol. 2021 Oct 1;11:743256.