LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Simple Test Predicts Childhood Cancer Relapse

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 26 May 2016
Image: The IncuCyte zoom continuous live-cell imaging and analysis system (Photo courtesy of Essen Biosciences).
Image: The IncuCyte zoom continuous live-cell imaging and analysis system (Photo courtesy of Essen Biosciences).
High-risk neuroblastoma, which occurs mostly in children under five, is treated with surgery and chemotherapy, and neuroblastomas currently rated low risk are just removed or left untreated while doctors 'wait and see', but a fraction of low risk tumors recur and ultimately kill.

A cheap simple test could accurately predict the recurrence of a childhood cancer, as a protein marker has been pinpointed which when absent, shows neuroblastoma is almost certain to recur. It means children with low-risk neuroblastoma, who do not have the biomarker, can be reclassified as at high risk of relapse and have chemotherapy earlier.

Scientists at Brunel University London (UK) and their colleagues collected a retrospective series of primary tumors from neuroblastoma (NB) patients. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from NB tumors were studied. Each tumor area tested contained malignant cells, assessed by histological examination. Quantification of immunofluorescence- or DAB-positive tumor cells was performed on serial tumor tissue sections. Tumor cells were distinguished in the samples using NB-specific marker, the homophilic binding glycoprotein neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM, CD56).

The scientists carried out cell proliferation assays using IncuCyte live-cell imaging system (Essen Biosciences, Ann Arbor, MI, USA); immunostaining of cultured cells; Western blotting; angiogenesis assays where the images were captured using JuLI smart fluorescent cell analyzer (Baker Ruskinn, Sanford, ME; USA). The investigators used several other methodologies to identify the Promyelocytic Leukaemia protein-1(PML-1) and gene expression was assessed using chip microarrays.

PML was detected in the developing and adult sympathetic nervous system, whereas it was not expressed or low in metastatic neuroblastoma tumors. Reduced PML expression in patients with low-risk cancers, i.e. localized and negative for the V-Myc Avian Myelocytomatosis Viral Oncogene Neuroblastoma Derived Homolog (MYCN) protooncogene was strongly associated with tumor recurrence. PML-I, but not PML-IV, isoform suppresses angiogenesis via upregulation of thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2), a key inhibitor of angiogenesis. Finally, PML-I and TSP-2 expression inversely correlates with tumor angiogenesis and recurrence in localized neuroblastomas.

Paolo Salomoni, PhD, a professor and senior author of the study said, “We have found the absence of PML a very precise marker of tumor recurrence. In the low risk tumors, the absence of PML will be a very useful marker. What we can now say is that even some tumors classified as low risk, that would have previously gone untreated, if they show no expression of PML, they ought now to be classified as high risk.” The study was published on April 13, 2016, in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.

Related Links:
Brunel University London
Essen Biosciences
Baker Ruskinn
New
Gold Member
Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile pHOx
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Gold Member
Automated Cell Culture Chemistry Analyzer
BioProfile FLEX2 Basic
New
DNA/RNA Extraction/Purification Kit
Nucleic Acid Extraction or Purification Kit

DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric leukemia ensures better outcomes for children with this common cancer (Photo courtesy of Qlucore)

RNA-Seq Based Diagnostic Test Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy of Pediatric Leukemia

A new unique test is set to reshape the way Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (BCP-ALL) samples can be analyzed. Qlucore (Lund, Sweden) has launched the first CE-marked RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could replace surgical biopsies for early detecion of heart transplant rejection (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients

Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more
PURITAN MEDICAL