Simple urine test could detect cancer and save countless lives

Imagine if discovering you have early-stage cancer could be as simple as peeing in a jar. How many lives could be saved if a quick, non-invasive test detected cancer months or even years before symptoms appeared? Thanks to a team of researchers, led by Professor Ljiljana Fruk, this vision is closer to becoming reality.
Supported by Cancer Research UK (CRUK), researchers at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CEB) have developed a urine test that could transform how lung cancer is detected. This innovative approach focuses on identifying 'zombie' cell proteins – markers of tissue changes that often occur long before cancer becomes visible through scans or physical symptoms.
The test aims to provide an early warning system, giving patients the best chance of effective treatment and recovery.
Professor Ljiljana Fruk with a member of her BioNano Engineering group, Andrew Baker
Professor Ljiljana Fruk with a member of her BioNano Engineering group, Andrew Baker



Spotting cancer early
Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, with nearly 50,000 people diagnosed each year. Tragically, most cases are discovered in later stages, when treatment is far less effective. Only 10% of patients survive for 10 years or more.
Professor Fruk, who has led the CEB’s BioNano Engineering group since 2019, is driven by the need to close this gap.
“Before cancer develops, tissues begin to change. Damaged cells, which we call ‘zombie cells’, release signals that reprogramme the tissue, creating an environment where cancer can thrive,” she said.
Her PhD student – and Gates scholar – Muhamad Hartono, in collaboration with Dr Daniel Munoz-Espin, has developed the molecular probe that homes in on a specific protein associated with these damaged cells. The probe is injected into the body, where it interacts with the protein, releasing a small compound into the urine. Once the urine is collected, a silver-based solution reveals whether the protein is present, with a visible colour change confirming the result.
An affordable alternative
Traditional imaging techniques used for early cancer detection, such as CT scans, are expensive and often inaccessible, especially in lower-income regions. By contrast, this urine test could be performed in any hospital lab without the need for high-end equipment.
“We urgently need affordable, simple methods to detect cancer early, particularly for high-risk groups,” says Professor Fruk. “This test could be a game-changer for detecting lung cancer, and we’re already exploring how it could be adapted for other cancers.”
From mice to people
So far, the test has been successfully trialled in mice, demonstrating its ability to detect lung cancer-related proteins. The researchers are now working to refine the test further in pre-clinical trials before moving on to human studies.
Professor Fruk and her team are also expanding their research to other cancers, including breast, melanoma, and pancreatic cancers, each of which has unique proteins that could be targeted.
“While this work focuses on lung cancer, the principle is adaptable,” says Professor Fruk. “We can design probes for other types of cancers and develop similar tests that are equally accessible and affordable.”
The road ahead
Developing a medical innovation like this is not without its challenges. Beyond clinical validation, there’s the need to ensure the technology is user-friendly for hospital labs around the world. The team is already considering how to create a practical kit that can be easily adopted in various healthcare settings.
“Progress in cancer treatment has been incredible in recent years, but early detection remains a critical piece of the puzzle,” says Professor Fruk. “By catching cancer earlier, we not only improve survival rates but also reduce the emotional and financial burden on patients and their families.”
A breakthrough worth supporting
With the research funded by Cancer Research UK, the project is part of the organisation’s long-standing commitment to improving outcomes for cancer patients. Dr Iain Foulkes, CRUK’s executive director of research and innovation, is optimistic about the potential impact of the test.
Cancer cells under a microscope
Cancer cells under a microscope
“Early detection is key to saving lives, and this project demonstrates how innovative approaches can make a real difference,” says Dr Foulkes.
A life-saving vision
Imagine a future where routine urine tests catch cancer in its earliest stages, giving patients the best chance of survival.
For Professor Fruk and her team, that future feels within reach. Their work not only offers hope for improving outcomes in lung cancer but also lays the groundwork for transforming how we detect and treat cancer as a whole.
The next steps involve further trials, development of practical testing kits, and ultimately, working towards making this test a standard tool in hospitals worldwide. If successful, this innovation could mark a significant milestone in the global fight against cancer.
The research paper will be published in December 2024.