Swedish medtech company VibroSense has developed an innovative solution that could significantly improve the early detection of chemotherapy-induced nerve damage—a common and often serious side effect of cancer treatment.
This information was reported by the Skandynawiainfo.pl
The Problem: Lasting Nerve Damage After Chemotherapy
According to data from Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen), more than 600,000 people in Sweden are currently living with or have survived cancer. In 2023 alone, over 23,000 people in the country died from the disease.
Chemotherapy, while often effective, comes with intense side effects. One of the most serious is neurotoxicity, which can lead to chronic nerve damage.
– “The nervous system is highly vulnerable during chemotherapy. In many cases, the side effects are so severe that treatment must be interrupted,” explains Toni Speidel, CTO of VibroSense.
A New Biomarker to Enable Faster Intervention
VibroSense, based in Malmö, has developed a new biomarker designed to detect neurotoxic effects at a much earlier stage than currently possible.
– “With our technology, doctors can identify high-risk patients earlier and adjust the treatment accordingly,” Speidel says.
Symptoms and Scale of the Issue
The most common symptoms of nerve damage include loss of sensation in the hands and feet, but motor and autonomic issues can also occur. The statistics are alarming:
- 20–30% of patients treated with neurotoxic drugs develop chronic nerve damage.
- This is especially common in those treated for breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Lung and Breast Cancer Pose the Highest Risk
Lung cancer remains the deadliest cancer in both the EU and Asia, particularly among men, with smoking as the leading cause. Meanwhile, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide.
Technology That Could Improve Quality of Life
The introduction of VibroSense’s new biomarker may be a game changer in oncology. By identifying nerve damage early, it allows physicians to personalize treatment, potentially preventing long-term suffering and improving overall patient outcomes.
