Technical Application's Impact
Workforce Demand
An at-home tumor marker test for former breast cancer patients would be the only one of its kind. However, its market would stem from the markets of both clinical blood testing and diabetic glucose meters. The marker test would function similarly to a diabetic’s glucose meter, but it would detect tumor markers rather than abnormal glucose levels. While standard blood testing can accomplish this goal, it is a time consuming process that can be costly after repeated trials. The marker test would allow for daily updates on blood composition, at the speed of an average glucose meter. Blood tests, on average, cost $5-$20. With these averages, the projected cost for daily blood tests within one year would be $1825. Glucose meters, on the other hand, average from $20-$80, plus the cost of strips. The tumor marker test would be a one-time purchase, and would ideally cost the same as a glucose meter. The ultimate goal of the test is to decrease the mortality rate of cancers by speeding detection, and this goal cannot be met with a price that makes it unattainable to the average consumer.
As far as marketing, the tumor marker test has the advantage of not requiring extensive advertisement. New technologies in regards to cancer treatment and prevention are self-advertising because of the nature of their application. An at-home meter which could significantly decrease the risk of detecting breast cancer in its later stages would be advertised by word of mouth, and through endorsement from doctors who support the technology. By saving significantly in the advertisement and marketing department, the production of the tumor marker test facilitates a low-cost option for expedited cancer detection.
The production of each test would open the door for increased job opportunities, as they would have to be mass produced in a factory setting. With further research, the at-home tumor marker test could expand within five years to encompass other types of cancer. If a meter can be made to detect cancer antigen 15-3 in metastatic breast cancer patients, it could potentially be made to detect beta-human chorionic gonadotropin in testicular cancer patients or BCR-ABL fusion gene in Leukemia patients. The tumor marker test would simply be the first step in an ever-expanding market that could yield a net worth upwards of $9 million (the current worth of Theranos, a blood diagnostics company).
Related Degree Programs
URL: https://chs.asu.edu/isbd/about
Department: Biomedical Diagnostics
Location: Arizona State University, Dublin City University
Arizona State University, the largest public research university in the U.S., and Dublin City University, a leader in biomedicine and diagnostics, have been collaborating to create the International School of Biomedical Diagnostics. The International School of Biomedical Diagnostics is a global center for teaching, service, and research in the biomedical field. Biomedical Diagnosis involves the testing and analysis of biological materials from the human body in order to aid disease treatment, prevention, and control. Researchers in the field are currently exploring ways to detect diseases - including cancer - at earlier stages than ever before. Specifically, Anderson et al., a team of researchers who work for the International School of Biomedical Diagnostics, have been working to identify biomarkers in the blood of cancer patients. The schools offer a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Diagnostics upon completion of the program. Acquiring the Master of Science in Biomedical Diagnostics is a one year program which culminates in an applied project which students complete with industry and academic processes.. Students receive either an ASU or DCU degree, depending on which campus they choose to attend. The program focuses on the technology, science, business, and legal applications of diagnostics.
URL: http://www.micab.umn.edu/cancer.html
Department: Biological/Biomedical Research
Location: University of Minnesota
The Microbiology Immunology and Cancer Biology Program(MICaB) at the University of Minnesota includes a microbiology, immunology, and cancer track of study. Students on the Cancer Biology track of the MICaB study cancer with a multidisciplinary approach. Research opportunities address the genetics and biology of tumor formation, progression, invasion and metastasis. Additionally, faculty laboratories focus on creating new cancer therapies. One area of major emphasis in the Cancer Track of the MICaB is the relationship between genetic changes and biochemical signaling pathways in the development of cancer. There has recently been a large increase in information about how external signals (e.g., growth factors) bind to cell surface receptors and subsequently transduce biochemical signals that ultimately lead to changes in cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, resistance/sensitivity to apoptosis, migration and invasion. The MICaB offers numerous research opportunities in areas such as genetic mechanisms of cancer research, immunology research, tumor biology and regression research, women’s cancer research, and transplant biology and therapy research.
Potential Degree Programs
Title: Optimized Cancer Detection
The Cancer Detection Program would bring together students from various fields such as microbiology, biomedical science, and medical engineering in order to develop new cancer detection technologies. The goal of the program would be to expedite the process of testing blood for tumor markers. Students in this program would earn a minor degree after completing classes and research pertaining to the early detection of various cancers. The work students complete within the Cancer Technology Program would allow many graduates to have an increased understanding of breast cancer detection, which would enable them to improve upon the proposed tumor marker test.
Created by Group Nine - Winter Park High School
Winter Park, Florida
NCT Sub-Category
Medical Devices and Equipment