Summary
Drug discovery is costly, with only about 10% of drugs in Phase 1 trials gaining FDA approval, largely due to poor understanding of pharmacokinetics (PK). Standard blood-based PK measurements don’t accurately reflect drug levels in tumor tissues, which have complex microenvironments. A team led by Professor Hyongsok Tom Soh developed an implantable electrochemical aptamer-based biosensor for real-time, multisite drug monitoring in tumors. This sensor, made of nanoporous electrodes, provides continuous, localized data on drug absorption. It shows promise for improving the accuracy of PK measurements, guiding drug dosing, and minimizing toxicity in clinical trials. The sensor could also be adapted for broader preclinical applications in cancer drug research and development.