Researchers from the University of Michigan developed a new microfluidic chip based on Graphene Oxide that can capture tumor cells from blood and support their growth for further analysis. This device could be used for both cancer diagnosis and find the best test-treatment options, without biopsies. The researchers estimate that such chips could reach clinics within 3 years.

Circulating tumor cells may be crucial for new early cancer diagnosis technologies. The researchers call this "liquid biopsy". This diagnosis may also help researchers understand the basic biologic mechanisms by which cancer cells metastasize or spread to distant organs, which is the major cause of death in cancer patients.