University of Queensland researchers have developed specially crafted sponge-like gold nanoparticles that can highlight ovarian cancer markers in urine, saliva, or blood samples.
These gold particles act as tiny light amplifiers, creating hotspots that reveal even the faintest traces of cancer using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) technology.
PhD student Javeria Bashir, who led the project, hopes to improve survival rates for this deadly cancer that rarely shows clear early symptoms.
The diagnostic method has already outperformed current blood tests, achieving 82% sensitivity in confirming ovarian cancer and 98% specificity in ruling it out.
The portable, simple, and affordable sensor technology would be particularly beneficial for women in remote or under-resourced regions.
The research, published in Small journal in July 2025, demonstrates how mesoporous nanotechnologies can transform disease monitoring and pave the way for personalized treatment strategies.
