Maltese scientists pioneer droplet-based test for early cancer detection
If successfully translated into clinical practice, the Maltese-developed droplet assay could position the country at the forefront of liquid biopsy innovation
Maltese researchers have designed and developed a blood test capable of capturing and characterising tumour-derived vesicles using minute sample volumes, marking a significant step forward in early cancer detection and therapy monitoring.
The innovation comes from the M3Profiler project, entitled ‘Profiling of tumour-derived macrovesicles using an innovative multiplex microfluidic assay using liquid biopsies (m3PROFILER)’ financed by Xjenza Malta, through the FUSION: R&I Technology Development Program (Grant Agreement number: R&I-2020-011T).
The project is led by the biotech company Omnigene Medical Technology Ltd. The ongoing research initiative has successfully developed a highly sensitive droplet-based workflow designed to maximise the use of limited biological material. By miniaturising the assay into microscopic droplets, scientists have dramatically enhanced detection sensitivity while reducing the amount of plasma required.
Tumour-derived vesicles − tiny particles released by cancer cells into the bloodstream − are increasingly recognised as valuable biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring malignancies. However, detecting these vesicles in low concentrations has remained technically challenging. The M3Profiler team addressed this limitation by compartmentalising samples into droplets, enabling more efficient capture and analysis of vesicles even when present in very low numbers.
Our goal was to push sensitivity to its limits while working with extremely small input volumes- M3Profiler project researchers
“Our goal was to push sensitivity to its limits while working with extremely small input volumes,” project researchers explained. “By leveraging droplet technology, we can analyse tumour-derived vesicles in plasma samples that would previously have been considered too small for reliable profiling.”
The project builds on the expertise of the biotech company, particularly in bead-based assay technologies. Omnigene Medical Technologies is well known for its work in multiplex bead-based assays and previously played a key role in establishing dried blood multiple assays capable of measuring viral antibodies from as little as 30 microlitres of blood.
Applying this experience, the M3Profiler team successfully transferred bead-based immunoassay principles into a miniaturised droplet format. The result is a highly multiplexed system capable of reading more than 12 different antigens from a single low-volume plasma sample. This level of multiplexing allows clinicians and researchers to generate detailed tumour profiles to support treatment monitoring without the need for invasive tissue biopsies.
The implications for oncology are considerable.
The ability to sensitively detect tumour-derived vesicles from minimal blood samples opens new possibilities for:
• Early tumour detection, potentially identifying malignancies before clinical symptoms arise.
• Real-time therapy monitoring, enabling clinicians to assess treatment effectiveness more quickly.
• Early detection of disease recurrence, allowing intervention at the earliest possible stage.
Because the workflow maximises the information obtained from limited input material, it is particularly suited for longitudinal monitoring, where repeated small-volume blood samples are preferred.
Researchers say the technology could significantly advance personalised medicine approaches by providing dynamic molecular insights into tumour behaviour over time.
As the M3Profiler project progresses, further validation studies are expected to assess performance across different cancer types. Validation is currently being performed by the University of Malta. If successfully translated into clinical practice, the Maltese-developed droplet assay could position the country at the forefront of liquid biopsy innovation.
With its combination of miniaturisation, multiplexing and high sensitivity, the new test represents a promising leap toward more accessible and precise cancer diagnostics and theranostics.
Claudine Spiteri is director, Omnigene Medical Technologies Ltd.