Cancer, irrespective of its types, could be detected by a
simple blood test, say British scientists. According to them, the new blood
test will allow doctors to rule out cancer in patients presenting with certain
symptoms - saving time and avoiding costly and unnecessary invasive procedures
and biopsies.
Researchers of the University of Bradford say that
early results have shown the simple test can detect cancer and pre-cancerous
conditions from the blood of patients with melanoma, colon cancer and lung
cancer with a high degree of accuracy.
Women and Cancer
Cancer is one of the frequently talked about and most feared disease that falls under the genre of lifestyle diseases that have evolved, rather rapidly, in the past two decades.
Advertisement
Alternatively, it could be a useful aid for people who are suspected of having a cancer that is currently difficult to diagnose, add the researchers.
The Lymphocyte Genome Sensitivity (LGS) checks white blood
cells and evaluates the harm caused to their DNA when subjected to different
intensities of ultraviolet light (UVA), which is known to harm DNA.
![Pre-Cancerous Lesions]( "Pre-Cancerous Lesions")
Encyclopedia section of medindia gives general information about Pre Cancerous Lesions
The study shows a clear distinction between the damage to the white blood cells from patients with cancer, with pre-cancerous conditions and the white blood cells from healthy patients.
"White blood cells are part of the body's natural defence system. We are aware that they are under stress when they are fighting cancer or other diseases. So I wondered whether anything assessable could be seen if we put them under further stress with UVA light. We found that people with cancer have DNA that is more easily damaged by ultraviolet light than other people," said Diana Anderson, professor from the University's School of Life Sciences and the lead researcher.
The conclusions were made after looking at the blood samples of 208 people.
In this, 94 were healthy members of university staff and students and the remaining 114 were collected from patients referred to specialist clinics within Bradford Royal Infirmary prior to diagnosis and treatment.
UVA damage was noticed in the form of pieces of DNA being pulled in an electric field towards the positive end of the field, causing a comet-like tail.
The longer the tail, the more DNA harm. And these measurements compared to those patients who were ultimately diagnosed with cancer (58), those with pre-cancerous conditions (56) and those who were healthy (94).
"These are early results finished on three different types of cancer and we agree that more research needs to be conducted; but these results so far are outstanding," Diana Anderson added.
She noted that while the numbers tested were small, the 'results are powerful'.
The test's accuracy is now being evaluated in a clinical trial at Bradford Royal Infirmary with patients suspected to have colorectal cancer.
A patent has been filed for the technology and Oncascan Limited has been established to commercialize the research.
The research is published online in FASEB Journal, the U.S. Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
Source: Medindia
Pre-Cancerous Lesions
Encyclopedia section of medindia gives general information about Pre Cancerous Lesions
Advertisement
The study shows a clear distinction between the damage to the white blood cells from patients with cancer, with pre-cancerous conditions and the white blood cells from healthy patients.
"White blood cells are part of the body's natural defence system. We are aware that they are under stress when they are fighting cancer or other diseases. So I wondered whether anything assessable could be seen if we put them under further stress with UVA light. We found that people with cancer have DNA that is more easily damaged by ultraviolet light than other people," said Diana Anderson, professor from the University's School of Life Sciences and the lead researcher.
The conclusions were made after looking at the blood samples of 208 people.
In this, 94 were healthy members of university staff and students and the remaining 114 were collected from patients referred to specialist clinics within Bradford Royal Infirmary prior to diagnosis and treatment.
UVA damage was noticed in the form of pieces of DNA being pulled in an electric field towards the positive end of the field, causing a comet-like tail.
The longer the tail, the more DNA harm. And these measurements compared to those patients who were ultimately diagnosed with cancer (58), those with pre-cancerous conditions (56) and those who were healthy (94).
"These are early results finished on three different types of cancer and we agree that more research needs to be conducted; but these results so far are outstanding," Diana Anderson added.
She noted that while the numbers tested were small, the 'results are powerful'.
The test's accuracy is now being evaluated in a clinical trial at Bradford Royal Infirmary with patients suspected to have colorectal cancer.
A patent has been filed for the technology and Oncascan Limited has been established to commercialize the research.
The research is published online in FASEB Journal, the U.S. Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
Source: Medindia
Late Life Weight Gain Related To Prostate Cancer Risk
PHILADELPHIA - Body mass in younger and older adulthood, and weight gain between these periods of life, may influence a man's risk for prostate cancer.
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Cancer News
In patients with breast cancer combination therapy had increased invasive disease-free survival compared to those who were treated with the hormone therapy alone.
An antibody treatment helped shrink tumors in some patients with bile duct cancers.
Comprehending the association between the gut microbiome and polyp growth sheds insights into potential screenings and treatments.
The first large-scale, collaborative, open analysis of genomic data provides a cloud-based resource for researchers looking for more comprehensive data on pediatric brain tumors.
The mission of Axiom Space incorporated numerous experiments focusing on human stem cell aging, inflammation, and cancer within the laboratory situated in the low Earth orbit.