MIT Spinoff Leuko Develops Non-Invasive Device for Monitoring Chemotherapy Patients

This technology improves patient comfort and enables remote monitoring of key health indicators, facilitating early infection detection and preventing complications.

Leuko, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) spinoff, has developed a device that promises to revolutionize the way doctors monitor cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Founded by a team of MIT researchers, Leuko has pioneered a non-invasive technology that could transform patient care by eliminating the need for traditional blood tests to monitor white blood cell (WBC) levels.

Addressing the Challenge of Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia

Chemotherapy is a critical tool in the fight against cancer, but it often comes with the side effect of suppressing the immune system, particularly reducing white blood cell counts.

This condition, known as neutropenia, leaves patients highly susceptible to infections, which can be life-threatening. Traditionally, monitoring WBC levels involves frequent blood tests, which can be uncomfortable and inconvenient for patients.

Leuko's innovative device offers a non-invasive alternative. Utilizing light that penetrates the skin at the top of a patient's fingernail and advanced artificial intelligence algorithms, the device can accurately measure WBC levels without the need for needles.

This technology enhances patient comfort and enables remote monitoring of critical health indicators, allowing for the early detection of infections and the prevention of potential complications.

Carlos Castro-Gonzalez, CEO and cofounder of Leuko and a former MIT postdoctoral researcher, emphasized the device's transformative potential. "Some of the physicians that we have talked to are very excited because they think future versions of our product could be used to personalize the dose of chemotherapy given to each patient," he stated.

He further explained that if a patient does not develop neutropenia, it might indicate that the chemotherapy dose could be safely increased. "Then every treatment could be based on how each patient is individually reacting," Castro-Gonzalez added, highlighting the potential for more tailored and effective cancer treatment protocols.

Journey from Concept to Clinical Application

The concept for Leuko's device originated at MIT in 2015. After years of development, the technology was put to the test in a successful small-scale study in 2019 involving 44 patients.

The results demonstrated the device's ability to detect drops in WBC levels with minimal false positives accurately. Since then, Leuko has been working closely with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct comprehensive studies to validate the device's accuracy and ease of use.

Looking ahead, Leuko plans to commence a pivotal study later this year, a critical step toward FDA approval. Achieving this milestone would validate the device's reliability and pave the way for its broader adoption in clinical settings.