University of Sharjah researchers highlight how AI-assisted blood tests using exosome analysis could revolutionize cancer detection and treatment, offering a non-invasive, early-detection method.
Imagine detecting cancer through a simple blood or urine test instead of invasive biopsies. This vision is becoming increasingly realistic, thanks to breakthrough research on exosomes — tiny particles released by cells carrying molecular signatures of cancer.
Scientists from the University of Sharjah, led by Mohammad Harb Semreen, a professor of pharmaceutical chemistry, have highlighted the potential of this method through an extensive narrative review published in the Clinica Chimica Acta journal. The review, which encompassed over 100 studies published between 2018 and 2025, shows that an AI-assisted blood or urine test could soon offer a quicker, non-invasive method for diagnosing cancer.
“By decoding the molecular ‘cargo’ of these exosomes through a multi-omics approach—combining proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics—we can build a detailed map of how cancers communicate, grow, and evade treatment,” Semreen said in a news release. “This gives researchers a new way to discover precise, reliable biomarkers that can detect cancer earlier, predict how aggressive it might become, and monitor how patients respond to therapy.”
Exosomes, the microscopic messengers involved in this process, undergo significant changes in cancer. These changes include being loaded with proteins, genetic material, lipids and metabolites that mirror the tumor’s condition.
Current advancements in artificial intelligence are enhancing the ability to scan vast molecular datasets, revealing patterns and aiding in the discovery of reliable cancer biomarkers.
Semreen describes this exosome-based approach as “powerful” because “exosomes can be collected from simple body fluids such as blood or urine, meaning that one day cancer could be tracked through a non-invasive liquid biopsy instead of painful tissue samples.”
The potential impact of this research is profound. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), nearly 10 million deaths were caused by cancer in 2022, with around 20 million new cases reported. The disease’s sheer scale makes early detection crucial for improving treatment outcomes and patient survival.
“Exosomes carry the whispers of cancer cells—we’re learning how to listen. By decoding exosomes, we can catch cancer earlier and treat it more intelligently,” added lead author Fatima Maher Al-Daffaie, a PhD candidate in drug design and discovery at the University of Sharjah’s College of Pharmacy. “Our aim is to turn a simple blood test into a powerful diagnostic tool. These nano-messengers give us a real-time view of what’s happening inside tumors. What once required surgery may soon be done with a drop of blood.”
The implications of this research extend beyond detection. Exosomes could also be engineered to transport treatments directly to tumor cells, improving precision and reducing side effects.
“These nanoscale vesicles can be engineered to transport anti-cancer drugs, RNA molecules, or even gene-editing tools directly to tumor cells. Their natural compatibility with the human body means they can deliver treatments precisely where needed, reducing side effects and enhancing efficacy,” Semreen added.
Co-author Ahmad Abuhelwa, an associate professor of clinical pharmacology and pharmacometrics, noted the research’s potential to revolutionize cancer diagnostics.
“Exosomes offer a living snapshot of cancer’s behavior. By analyzing their molecular signatures, we can personalize treatment and monitor how each patient’s tumor evolves over time,” he said in the news release. “By integrating multi-omics data and artificial intelligence, we can interpret the vast complexity of cancer biology in a way that is clinically actionable. This is a step toward making precision oncology not just a concept, but a reality in routine medical care.”
While the study has not yet led to formal collaborations with industry or health care institutions, the field of exosome-based diagnostics is rapidly gaining global attention and investment from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
“As our work continues to bridge discovery science with clinical applications, we expect new partnerships to form—particularly with companies and research institutes interested in developing next-generation cancer diagnostics and personalized monitoring tools,” added Semreen.
Source: University of Sharjah