Wearable Hybrid Interfaces of Smart Printable Engineered Responsive nanomaterials enabling real-time cfDNA sensing for early diagnosis

Objective

Cancer leaves tiny fragments of genetic material, called circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), in the blood. Detecting these fragments can help doctors spot cancer earlier, track treatment, and monitor relapse. Today, tests for cfDNA rely on lab-heavy methods like PCR or sequencing, which are slow, expensive, and unsuitable for regular monitoring. The WHISPER (Wearable Hybrid Interfaces of Smart Printable Engineered Responsive nanomaterials enabling real-time cfDNA sensing for early diagnosis) project aims to change this by creating a wearable patch that can track cancer-related cfDNA in real time, directly on the body. This device combines smart nanomaterials that selectively capture cfDNA, tiny electrochemical sensors that turn this binding into an electronic signal, and flexible, printable electronics for comfortable skin wear. Unlike current tests, WHISPER works without complex equipment or sample processing, offering a continuous, low-cost, and patient-friendly alternative. By making cancer monitoring as simple as wearing a patch, WHISPER could transform early diagnosis and personalized treatment, while also advancing Europe’s goals in precision medicine and digital health.