Revolutionary Device to filter cancer cells from blood

A great new technology has given birth to a device that could potentially be a boon for cancer patients. This device has the ability to filter the cancer cells from blood. Cancer cells present in blood stick and roll on the selectins on the surface of the device. While rolling they bind to TRAIL and accumulate the self-destruct signal. Once they detach from the surface and leave the device, they will die 1-2 days later.

The selectins are basically protein molecules that move to the surface in case of an infection or injury. Selectin molecules normally recruit white blood cells (leukocytes) which "roll" along their surfaces and create an inflammatory response -- but they also attract cancer cells, which can mimic the adhesion and rolling process. Used with a combination of traditional cancer treatment, this could effectively kill more cancer cells than possible before. Let us hope that with this all new device any cancer is treatable. You can read more about this research in physorg.