Ultrasound-Aided Blood Testing Detects Cancer Biomarkers from Cells
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 15 May 2024 |
|
 (1)_1.jpg "Image: Ultrasound image of micro-histotripsy liberation of biomarkers in a tumor (Photo courtesy of Joy Wang and Pradyumna Kedarisetti)")
Ultrasound imaging serves as a noninvasive method to locate and monitor cancerous tumors effectively. However, crucial details about the cancer, such as the specific types of cells and genetic mutations involved, typically require invasive biopsies, which can cause harm. Now, a research team has developed a new method to utilize ultrasound for gently extracting this genetic information.
Researchers at the University of Alberta (Edmonton, AB, Canada) have been investigating the use of intense ultrasound in releasing biological indicators of disease, or biomarkers, from cells. These biomarkers include elements like miRNA, mRNA, DNA, and various genetic mutations, all of which are critical for identifying the cancer type and guiding treatment decisions. The ultrasound technique releases these biomarkers from the cells into the bloodstream, where they reach concentrations high enough to be detected. This enables oncologists to identify and track the cancer's status or response to treatment through blood samples instead of invasive biopsies, making the process less painful and more cost-effective.
The application of ultrasound has proven to enhance the presence of genetic and vesicle biomarkers in blood samples by more than 100 times. The researchers successfully identified panels of tumor-specific and now epigenetic mutations that previously could not be detected in blood samples. This method is not only effective but also more affordable than traditional tests. They noted that ultrasound-enhanced blood tests could be performed at a cost similar to that of a COVID test, a significant reduction from the usual USD 10,000 per test.
Furthermore, the research team explored using intense ultrasound to liquefy small tissue samples for easier biomarker detection. This liquefied tissue can be collected from blood samples or via fine-needle syringes, which are considerably less invasive than traditional core-needle biopsies. These advancements in cancer detection technology could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, offering healthcare providers flexibility in managing treatment efficacy without the high costs and risks typically associated with frequent biopsies.
“We hope that our ultrasound technologies will benefit patients by providing clinicians a new kind of molecular readout of cells and tissues with minimal discomfort,” said Roger Zemp from the University of Alberta who led the team.
Related Links:
University of Alberta
Latest Molecular Diagnostics News
- Age-Based Genetic Testing May Miss Most Inherited Cancer Risk Variants
- Pooled Sputum Testing Offers Lower-Cost Molecular Diagnosis for Tuberculosis
- Expanded Sequencing Panel Supports Myeloid Malignancy Variant Profiling
- Tumor Markers Help Predict Response to Less Intensive HER2+ Chemotherapy
- New NGS Suite Expands Clonality and MRD Research in Lymphoid Malignancies
- Tumor-Informed ctDNA Test Shows Utility Across Gastrointestinal and Gynecologic Cancers
- New Molecular Testing Support to Strengthen Ebola Surveillance in DRC
- Functional Testing From Skin Biopsy Improves Detection of Mitochondrial Disease
- Blood Test Detects Molecular Signals of Early Liver Cancer Progression
- Breast Milk DNA Test Investigated for Early Breast Cancer Detection
- Blood-Based MRD Test Shows High Specificity in Colorectal Cancer Trials
- Blood-Based MRD Test Predicts Recurrence Risk After Melanoma Surgery
- Urine-Based RNA Improves Bladder Cancer Detection and Monitoring
- Blood RNA Panel Predicts Lung Cancer Risk Years Before Diagnosis
- Facilitated Cascade Program Increases Genetic Testing in Hereditary Cancer Families
- Bile DNA Testing Detects Tumor Signals Before Conventional Cancer Diagnosis
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Blood Biomarker Detects Alzheimer’s Changes Decades Before Symptoms in Down Syndrome
Alzheimer’s disease can begin altering the brain long before clinical symptoms appear, creating a challenge for early-stage detection and research. People with Down syndrome face a particularly high age-related... Read more
Study Questions Broad Fasting Requirements Before Routine Blood Tests
Routine blood testing is central to diagnosis, monitoring, and disease risk assessment. Many patients are still asked to fast for 8–12 hours before phlebotomy, even though the requirement was originally... Read more
Elevated Lipoprotein(a) Linked to Long-Term Progression of Carotid Atherosclerosis
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a genetically determined blood lipid and an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Its relationship to long-term carotid atherosclerosis has remained unclear, particularly... Read more
Hematology
view channel
New Donor Genetic Marker May Help Predict Stem Cell Transplant Success
Donor selection for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation plays a major role in relapse risk and survival for patients with blood cancers and other blood disorders. Despite advances in genotyping, uncertainty... Read more
Updated Ferritin Thresholds Improve Detection of Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency is one of the most common health conditions worldwide, yet its nonspecific symptoms can delay diagnosis for months. Variation in testing practices and ferritin thresholds may contribute... Read more
Immunology
view channel
Single-Tier Lyme Disease Test Shows High Sensitivity in Early Infection
Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose during the earliest stages of infection, when conventional serologic testing may have limited sensitivity. Patients may present during a diagnostic gray zone in... Read more
New Web-Based Platform Helps Autoimmune Laboratories Manage Testing Complexity
Autoimmune disease testing often requires laboratories to coordinate results across multiple instruments, manual microscopy, and patient histories. As testing volumes and workflow complexity increase,... Read more
Microbiology
view channel
Rapid Urine Test Aids Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis
Invasive aspergillosis is an uncommon mold infection in the general population but can pose serious risks for people with weakened immune defenses. Diagnosis can be difficult because existing approaches... Read more
Nanodroplet CRISPR Technology Supports Rapid, Multiplexed Mycobacterial Identification
Mycobacterial infections are difficult to diagnose because closely related species can have different clinical and therapeutic implications. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasingly recognized... Read more
Genomic Workflow Identifies Fungal Pathogens Before Blood Cultures Turn Positive
Fungal bloodstream infections pose a major threat to hospitalized patients. Candida species cause most invasive fungal infections worldwide and are among the leading causes of hospital-acquired bloodstream... Read more
FDA-Cleared Multiplex PCR Test Detects 13 Respiratory Pathogens in a Single Sample
Respiratory tract infections can be difficult to distinguish at presentation because many cause overlapping, nonspecific symptoms and are initially grouped as influenza-like illnesses. Causes span a range... Read morePathology
view channel
Rapid Mass Spectrometry Test May Aid Glioma Margin Decisions
Glioma brain tumors are highly infiltrative and can extend into nearby healthy brain tissue, making tumor margins difficult to define during surgery. Residual tumor cells may contribute to recurrence and... Read more
Genomic Classifier Predicts Benefit From Adding Hormone Therapy to Salvage Prostate Radiation
Men who have undergone prostatectomy for prostate cancer may later develop a detectable or rising prostate-specific antigen, prompting salvage radiation therapy. A key challenge is determining who is most... Read more
Technology
view channel
Laser-Based Swab Analysis Shows Promise for Detecting Disease-Linked Odor Patterns
Disease-related changes in volatile organic compounds can alter body odor, producing measurable patterns in exhaled breath and bodily fluids. Current analytical methods can be complex, time-consuming,... Read more
Laser-Enhanced Assay Boosts Sensitivity for Colorectal Cancer Biomarker Detection
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Early detection remains critical, but cancer biomarkers can produce only faint... Read more
Industry
view channel
Collaboration Advances Automated Benchtop Platform for Routine Blood Testing
Routine blood testing is central to clinical decision-making, but access can vary across laboratory and healthcare settings. Broader use of automated benchtop platforms may help integrate testing more... Read more
Expanded Partnership Supports AI Biomarker Validation and Clinical Trial Deployment
CellCarta (Montreal, Canada) and Imagene AI (Miami, FL, USA) have expanded their collaboration to provide biopharma companies with a coordinated pathway for biomarker strategy, assay development, validation,... Read more
Collaboration Combines AI Cognitive Assessment and RNA Blood Testing for Earlier Alzheimer’s Detection
Alzheimer’s disease is often identified only after substantial neurodegeneration, partly because current diagnostic pathways are fragmented and difficult to scale. As treatment shifts toward earlier intervention,... Read more