Cancer is often cited as the leading cause of death worldwide—but that may not be entirely true.
Among patients undergoing chemotherapy, 60% of cancer-related deaths are actually caused by infections, not cancer itself. Even Val Kilmer’s recent passing after a long battle with cancer was actually caused by acute pneumonia, which sadly became fatal when exacerbated by an existing cancer diagnosis. Sepsis, pneumonia, and infections can compromise the weakened immune systems of those in treatment, often going unnoticed until it’s too late. And, when it comes to children fighting cancer, the numbers are just as tragic.
Source: Aion Biosystems
“It’s a painful truth. We’re so focused on cancer as the enemy that we overlook the real killer for many patients: infection,” said Aion CEO Sam Barend. “People don’t die from cancer in these cases—they die because their bodies couldn’t fight off what came next.”
Infection is responsible for more than half of treatment-related deaths in pediatric cancer patients, and the first warning sign is almost always a spike in temperature. While medicine has made extraordinary strides in treating cancer, it’s fallen behind on addressing this quieter, deadlier risk. Now, thanks to breakthroughs in AI and remote monitoring, that’s beginning to change. And the impact is already saving lives.
Aion Biosystems’ TempShield
Aion Biosystems’ flagship device, TempShield™, has become the first skin-wearable thermometer cleared by the FDA for long-term, continuous monitoring in children as young as one year old. At first glance, it may sound like a simple engineering milestone. But in practice, it’s a major breakthrough in pediatric care, especially for young cancer patients whose fragile immune systems can’t afford to miss a single spike in temperature.
The device sits comfortably on the upper chest, tracking and transmitting temperature data for up to 90 days. It connects to the AION TempShield mobile app, which sends real-time alerts when concerning temperature changes occur, even while the child is sleeping.
“This is a breakthrough for the families who need it most,” Barend said. “No more waking kids up to take a temperature. TempShield tracks fevers in real time with high accuracy—day and night—without disruption, discomfort, or missed warning signs.
She added, “We’re not reacting to fevers anymore—we’re getting ahead of them. That’s the future of pediatric care.”
According to Barend, the key to preventing complications is to intervene earlier and catch the initial warning sign of infection–a temperature spike– which can be the difference between an antibiotic and hospitalization. Yet even in the best hospitals, this simple vital sign can be missed between clinic visits or after discharge. A child might spike a fever in the middle of the night, and by the time it’s noticed, it’s already an emergency. “TempShield gets ahead of infection before it becomes life-threatening.”
From Reaction to Prevention
Unlike standard thermometers, which offer only a momentary reading, TempShield delivers a 24/7 temperature feed, powered by a discreet, skin-safe sensor. The sensor continuously reads and transmits body temperature, while AI models map fluctuations against a child’s unique baseline.
“Its AI learns each patient’s unique baseline by tracking thousands of data points over time. It doesn’t just flag a generic fever—it detects subtle changes that are abnormal for that individual, often days before a traditional fever would show up on an oral thermometer.”
That level of personalization matters. It prevents false alarms and, more importantly, buys precious time, sometimes hours or even days, before an infection becomes life-threatening.
The Path to Pediatric Approval
Securing FDA clearance for a pediatric device like TempShield isn’t just difficult—it’s rare. It’s one reason no other wearable thermometer has received FDA clearance for long-term pediatric use—until now. Children’s skin is more sensitive. Their activity levels are unpredictable, and their temperature patterns fluctuate more than those of adults. TempShield had to be accurate, safe, and durable enough to keep working as kids run, play, and sleep, while undergoing chemo.
“We literally had to give them stuffed animals and toys to motivate them to take their oral temp,” Barend recalled. “They cried and refused initially. Imagine having to take it all the time—oral thermometers are not an option for immunocompromised children who need perpetual temp taking.”
It was a routine occurrence that highlighted how broken the process was—and how much families were being asked to endure.
“Let’s just say: they were not fans of the oral thermometer,” Barend added. “That frustration taught us something important: imagine the daily struggle for families of immunocompromised kids who need frequent temperature checks. It’s exhausting, emotional, and often disruptive. We lived what they live—and it reinforced why TempShield matters.”
That lived experience shaped the heart of TempShield’s design: continuous, clinical-grade monitoring that fits seamlessly into a child’s life. With FDA clearance secured, Aion is now setting its sights on the broader pediatric populations who need it just as urgently.
A Broader Vision
While TempShield’s FDA clearance is specific to continuous pediatric temperature monitoring, Aion Biosystems has broader ambitions. The company is already exploring its use in sickle cell disease, transplant patients, rare genetic conditions, and other high-risk pediatric populations where infection is a persistent threat.
Barend said, “Long-term, our vision is simple: TempShield should be to immunocompromised patients what the blood glucose monitor is to diabetics: A trusted, everyday tool that quietly prevents crisis and saves lives.”
Aion stands out not just for its impact but for its clinical credibility and technological innovation. In an industry saturated with consumer health wearables, TempShield is built to do one thing—and do it with absolute precision: catch fevers before they become emergencies.
And in the world of pediatric cancer care, that mission couldn’t be more urgent.
