Highly efficient blood test developed for cancer detection
Test can be configured to recognise mutations unique to an individual cancer
Cancer cells are seen in this undated handout image. PHOTO: REUTERS
BOSTON:
Scientists at Stanford have developed a low-cost and highly sensitive blood test which can be used to quickly spot cancer growth and spread.
The test called single colour digital PCR can identify genetic mutations in small amounts of DNA released from cancer cells into the blood. In order to carry out the test, only a small part of a tube of blood is required, which can be used to detect as few as three mutation-bearing molecules in a single reaction, according to researchers. The test can also be configured to recognise mutations unique to an individual cancer.
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"For monitoring patient tumours, only a handful of blood tests are available which are limited to only several types of cancers," said Hanlee P Ji, associate professor at Stanford University in the US.
"Nearly all cancer patients require monitoring by whole body imaging, which can be costly, complex, and time- consuming. In contrast, molecular tests like the one we have developed will enable patients to be monitored at every visit, and thus have the potential for quickly tracking cancer growth and spread," said Hanlee.
The test has a rapid turnout and costs relatively less compared to next-generation DNA sequencing, which equips it with the potential of universal monitoring of more patients than is currently done, said Hanlee.
Samples of six patients were analysed using the test. Five of them were previously diagnosed with colorectal cancer and one with cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer. After personalised mutation detention assays, researchers were successful in identifying tumour-derived circulating DNA from three out of six patients.
In one patient, the test was able to discover the presence of three different mutations. The three patients, whose samples did not indicate elevated cancer DNA, were receiving treatment at the time of collection.
There are several advantages of single-colour digital PCR test over other methods of circulating tumour DNA analysis, compared to next-generation targeted sequencing and fluorescent probe-based digital PCR assays.
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A major benefit is that the new technique does not depend on pre-amplification, which can lead to errors and biases.
"This test is simple enough to set up and analyse without extensive training, and therefore, it can be implemented by anyone, making it highly accessible to any laboratory," said Christina Wood Bouwens from Stanford University.
"It has been truly motivating to work with a technology that will help transform the way that we monitor and treat individuals with cancer. I am excited to share our findings with the cancer research community," said Bouwens, main author of the research published in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.
This story originally appeared in The Times of India.
Scientists at Stanford have developed a low-cost and highly sensitive blood test which can be used to quickly spot cancer growth and spread.
The test called single colour digital PCR can identify genetic mutations in small amounts of DNA released from cancer cells into the blood. In order to carry out the test, only a small part of a tube of blood is required, which can be used to detect as few as three mutation-bearing molecules in a single reaction, according to researchers. The test can also be configured to recognise mutations unique to an individual cancer.
Please save my son, appeals ailing cancer patient's father
"For monitoring patient tumours, only a handful of blood tests are available which are limited to only several types of cancers," said Hanlee P Ji, associate professor at Stanford University in the US.
"Nearly all cancer patients require monitoring by whole body imaging, which can be costly, complex, and time- consuming. In contrast, molecular tests like the one we have developed will enable patients to be monitored at every visit, and thus have the potential for quickly tracking cancer growth and spread," said Hanlee.
The test has a rapid turnout and costs relatively less compared to next-generation DNA sequencing, which equips it with the potential of universal monitoring of more patients than is currently done, said Hanlee.
Samples of six patients were analysed using the test. Five of them were previously diagnosed with colorectal cancer and one with cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer. After personalised mutation detention assays, researchers were successful in identifying tumour-derived circulating DNA from three out of six patients.
In one patient, the test was able to discover the presence of three different mutations. The three patients, whose samples did not indicate elevated cancer DNA, were receiving treatment at the time of collection.
There are several advantages of single-colour digital PCR test over other methods of circulating tumour DNA analysis, compared to next-generation targeted sequencing and fluorescent probe-based digital PCR assays.
Pakistani woman turns to Sushma Swaraj for cancer treatment in India
A major benefit is that the new technique does not depend on pre-amplification, which can lead to errors and biases.
"This test is simple enough to set up and analyse without extensive training, and therefore, it can be implemented by anyone, making it highly accessible to any laboratory," said Christina Wood Bouwens from Stanford University.
"It has been truly motivating to work with a technology that will help transform the way that we monitor and treat individuals with cancer. I am excited to share our findings with the cancer research community," said Bouwens, main author of the research published in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.
This story originally appeared in The Times of India.