Researchers at MIT and Microsoft have developed an innovative method using AI-designed peptides on nanoparticles to detect early-stage cancer through a simple urine test. By coating nanoparticles with peptides specifically cleaved by cancer-linked proteases, the sensors emit signals that reveal the presence and type of cancer in the body. The AI system, CleaveNet, rapidly designs peptides with high specificity and efficiency, improving diagnostic accuracy while reducing experimental costs. This approach has already demonstrated potential for lung, ovarian, and colon cancers, and could eventually support at-home testing for up to 30 cancer types. Beyond diagnostics, these peptides may also enhance targeted therapies, creating a new avenue for early intervention, precision medicine, and a comprehensive map of protease activity across cancers.
