Novel Biomarker Identified for Two Different Cancers
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 17 Apr 2014 |
|
Image: Histopathology of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (Photo courtesy of Masaryk University).
A new biomarker linked to better outcomes for patients with head and neck cancers and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been identified.
The biomarker could help scientists develop new diagnostics and therapies and help physicians determine the best long-term treatments for patients with these cancers.
Scientists from the University of Pittsburgh (PA, USA) examined tumor samples from 187 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and 60 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). The median follow-up for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) for NSCLC patients was 69.0 months and 35.9 months, respectively. The median follow-up for HNSCC patients was 41 months.
The team used antibody-based immunological techniques, cell cultures, immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry and in situ quantification. For tumor analysis, tissue microarrays of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumors and control tissues were used. Each tumor was represented by three distinct cores for NSCLC and two for HNSCC. The nuclear signal intensity was quantified by automated quantitative analysis for NSCLC and Aperio software for HNSCC (Aperio Technologies, Vista, CA, USA).
The investigators found that the expression of a protein called choline phosphate cytidylyltransferase-α CCT-α or CCTα, which acts as an “antigen” that prompts the immune system to produce antibodies against it. CCTα was associated with longer survival rates, including for patients with NSCLC who were treated with surgery alone, without the use of platinum-based chemotherapy drugs and associated toxic side effects.
Laura J. Niedernhofer, MD, PhD, an associate professor and a senior author of the study said, “Based on what we found, a high CCTα expression appears to be indicative of survival, making CCTα a promising biomarker. Our findings suggest that CCTα may, in fact, be more important in determining outcomes in patients with both types of cancer than the already established excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) protein.”
Related Links:
University of Pittsburgh
Aperio Technologies
The biomarker could help scientists develop new diagnostics and therapies and help physicians determine the best long-term treatments for patients with these cancers.
Scientists from the University of Pittsburgh (PA, USA) examined tumor samples from 187 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and 60 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). The median follow-up for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) for NSCLC patients was 69.0 months and 35.9 months, respectively. The median follow-up for HNSCC patients was 41 months.
The team used antibody-based immunological techniques, cell cultures, immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry and in situ quantification. For tumor analysis, tissue microarrays of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumors and control tissues were used. Each tumor was represented by three distinct cores for NSCLC and two for HNSCC. The nuclear signal intensity was quantified by automated quantitative analysis for NSCLC and Aperio software for HNSCC (Aperio Technologies, Vista, CA, USA).
The investigators found that the expression of a protein called choline phosphate cytidylyltransferase-α CCT-α or CCTα, which acts as an “antigen” that prompts the immune system to produce antibodies against it. CCTα was associated with longer survival rates, including for patients with NSCLC who were treated with surgery alone, without the use of platinum-based chemotherapy drugs and associated toxic side effects.
Laura J. Niedernhofer, MD, PhD, an associate professor and a senior author of the study said, “Based on what we found, a high CCTα expression appears to be indicative of survival, making CCTα a promising biomarker. Our findings suggest that CCTα may, in fact, be more important in determining outcomes in patients with both types of cancer than the already established excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) protein.”
Related Links:
University of Pittsburgh
Aperio Technologies
Platinum Member
Automated Coagulation Analyzer
Hemolumi H6
MR-proADM Test
B•R•A•H•M•S MR-proADM KRYPTOR test
New
Gold Member
Fully-auto Specific Protein (Nephelometry) Analyzer
PA240
Latest Pathology News
- New Training Approach Helps AI Distinguish Neighboring Cells in Tissue
- Breakthrough-Designated Cytology Test Supports Oral Cancer Risk Assessment
- Review Highlights Progress and Validation Needs for AI in Digital Pathology
- Roche Launches Automated Test to Support Mesothelioma Differential Diagnosis
- AI Pathology Approach Closely Aligns With Breast Cancer Genomic Risk Classification
- Digital Pathology Test Stratifies Recurrence Risk in Early Breast Cancer
- AI Pathology Tool Predicts DNA Repair Deficiency in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
- AI Tissue Analysis May Help Identify Missed Precancerous Colon Polyps
- AI Pre-Screening Helps Identify Lung Cancer Cases for Additional Biomarker Testing
- AI Pathology Platform Targets Workflow Delays and Molecular Test Failures
- Updated Digital Pathology Platform Expands AI Integration for Cancer Diagnosis
- Molecular Testing Refines Barrett’s Esophagus Progression Risk Beyond Biopsy Findings
- AI Histopathology Tool Distinguishes Ewing Sarcoma for Diagnosis
- Rapid Mass Spectrometry Test May Aid Glioma Margin Decisions
- Genomic Classifier Predicts Benefit From Adding Hormone Therapy to Salvage Prostate Radiation
- Multimodal AI Supports Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Across Diverse Cohorts
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Updated PSA Testing Guidelines Support Early Prostate Cancer Detection
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men in the United States, with an estimated 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths this year, according to the American Cancer Society.... Read more
Antibody-Free Blood Test Detects Rheumatic Heart Disease Biomarker
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) causes hundreds of thousands of deaths annually, disproportionately affecting children and young adults in low- and middle-income countries. Early detection remains challenging... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
AI in Cancer Diagnosis and Molecular Testing Takes Center Stage at AMP 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into molecular diagnostics, offering new approaches to interpreting complex genetic information, classifying cancers, and optimizing laboratory testing.... Read more
AMP 2026 Highlights Advances in Molecular Testing for Pediatric Diseases
Advances in molecular diagnostics are creating new opportunities to identify inherited diseases earlier, improve the classification of childhood cancers, and track infectious disease outbreaks affecting children.... Read more
Genomic Studies Investigate Treatment Response and Inherited Risk in Sarcoma
Tempus AI (Chicago, IL, USA) will present six abstracts, including three oral presentations, at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) 2026 Annual Meeting, taking place November 18–21 in Seoul, South Korea.... Read more
Hematology
view channel
Serial Blood Samples Reveal Leukemia’s Evolution Decades Before Diagnosis
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer affecting approximately 2,700 people in the U.K. annually, with only about one in six patients surviving five years after diagnosis.... Read more
Study Confirms Blood Products Remain Viable After Three Weeks in the Arctic
Trauma and hemorrhage care in Canada’s High Arctic is complicated by long evacuation times, extreme temperatures, and limited access to blood products. In remote military and northern communities, reaching... Read more
Microbiology
view channel
Rapid Point-of-Care Test Detects Tuberculosis from Tongue Swab and Sputum
Tuberculosis remains a major infectious disease challenge, particularly in regions with limited access to diagnostic testing and treatment. Diagnosis can be time-consuming, and collecting sputum samples... Read more
Automated Microbial Identification and Susceptibility System Gains FDA Clearance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a leading global public health threat, causing an estimated 1.27 million deaths annually. The growing challenge of diagnosing and treating resistant infections highlights... Read more
Gastrointestinal Flex Assay Gains EU Certification for Tailored Pathogen Testing
Gastrointestinal infections can be caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic pathogens, making targeted test selection important for clinical laboratories. Fixed syndromic panels may be broader than necessary... Read more
Molecular Panels Gain FDA Clearance for One-Hour Gastrointestinal Pathogen Testing
Acute infectious gastroenteritis, caused by viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens, remains a significant global health concern that inflames the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting,... Read morePathology
view channel
New Training Approach Helps AI Distinguish Neighboring Cells in Tissue
Artificial intelligence (AI) can assist with identifying cells in digital pathology images, but densely packed tissue remains difficult to analyze. Neighboring cells may be merged, counted twice, or missed,... Read more
Review Highlights Progress and Validation Needs for AI in Digital Pathology
Pathology remains the gold standard for disease diagnosis, but clinical laboratories face growing demands for faster, more reproducible diagnostic and prognostic workflows. Digital pathology based on whole-slide... Read more
Breakthrough-Designated Cytology Test Supports Oral Cancer Risk Assessment
Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers remain a significant diagnostic challenge, with more than 60,000 Americans expected to be diagnosed in 2026 and more than 13,000 expected to die from these cancers.... Read more
AI Pathology Approach Closely Aligns With Breast Cancer Genomic Risk Classification
In early-stage breast cancer, precision oncology relies on biological information to guide personalized treatment decisions. Because access to tissue-based genomic testing may be limited, there is growing... Read moreTechnology
view channel
New qPCR Master Mixes Offer Broad Compatibility for Routine Research
Quantitative PCR (qPCR) workflows require consistent reagent performance across instruments and assay formats. Laboratories must also manage costs without changing established protocols.... Read more
Multi-Agent AI Framework Supports Laboratory Quality and Workflow Monitoring
Clinical laboratories analyze blood, urine, tissue, and other bodily fluids to support disease diagnosis and treatment. Rising test volumes, workforce shortages, and increasingly complex diagnostics are... Read more
Industry
view channel
Natera and Incyte Collaborate on MRD-Guided Colorectal Cancer Treatment Study
Natera (Austin, TX, USA) has entered into a clinical collaboration with Incyte (Wilmington, DE, USA) for a Phase II study evaluating molecular residual disease (MRD)-guided treatment in colorectal cancer.... Read more
Partnership Aims to Bring Blood-Based Alzheimer’s Testing to Japan
Alzheimer’s disease remains a growing diagnostic challenge as populations age and cognitive impairment becomes more common. In Japan, government-supported estimates project that approximately 4.... Read more
