Novel Light-Based Technique With 90% Accuracy Rate to Revolutionize Cancer Diagnosis
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 03 Sep 2024 |

A quicker, cheaper, and less painful cancer detection technique developed using light has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis, early detection, and monitoring.
Researchers at Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AiPT, Birmingham, UK) have developed a new technique for analyzing crystals in dehydrated blood. Utilizing a novel polarization-based image reconstruction method, the team examined polycrystalline structures within dried blood samples. This analysis is vital as proteins in the blood undergo structural transformations in their tertiary (unique 3D shape) and quaternary forms (how multiple proteins assemble) during the onset of diseases such as cancer.
The new technique allows for a comprehensive layer-by-layer analysis of dry blood smears, a critical factor in distinguishing between healthy and cancerous samples. The research involved 108 blood film samples divided into three equal groups: healthy individuals, prostate cancer patients, and patients with aggressive cancer cells. The findings published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports showed a 90% accuracy rate in early diagnosis and classification of cancer, surpassing the efficacy of traditional screening methods. Moreover, this approach uses blood samples rather than tissue biopsies, making it a less invasive and safer option for patients.
"Our study introduces a pioneering technique to the liquid biopsy domain, aligning with the ongoing quest for non-invasive, reliable and efficient diagnostic methods,” said AiPT Professor Igor Meglinski. “A key advancement in our study is the characterization of the mean, variance, skewness, and kurtosis of distributions with the cells which is crucial for identifying significant differences between healthy and cancerous samples. This breakthrough opens new avenues for cancer diagnosis and monitoring, representing a substantial leap forward in personalized medicine and oncology."
Related Links:
AiPT
Latest Pathology News
- New X-Ray Method Promises Advances in Histology
- Single-Cell Profiling Technique Could Guide Early Cancer Detection
- Intraoperative Tumor Histology to Improve Cancer Surgeries
- Rapid Stool Test Could Help Pinpoint IBD Diagnosis
- AI-Powered Label-Free Optical Imaging Accurately Identifies Thyroid Cancer During Surgery
- Deep Learning–Based Method Improves Cancer Diagnosis
- ADLM Updates Expert Guidance on Urine Drug Testing for Patients in Emergency Departments
- New Age-Based Blood Test Thresholds to Catch Ovarian Cancer Earlier
- Genetics and AI Improve Diagnosis of Aortic Stenosis
- AI Tool Simultaneously Identifies Genetic Mutations and Disease Type
- Rapid Low-Cost Tests Can Prevent Child Deaths from Contaminated Medicinal Syrups
- Tumor Signals in Saliva and Blood Enable Non-Invasive Monitoring of Head and Neck Cancer
- Common Health Issues Can Influence New Blood Tests for Alzheimer’s Disease
- Blood Test Formula Identifies Chronic Liver Disease Patients with Higher Cancer Risk
- Tunable Cell-Sorting Device Holds Potential for Multiple Biomedical Applications
- AI Tool Outperforms Doctors in Spotting Blood Cell Abnormalities
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Extracellular Vesicles Linked to Heart Failure Risk in CKD Patients
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 1 in 7 Americans and is strongly associated with cardiovascular complications, which account for more than half of deaths among people with CKD.... Read more
Study Compares Analytical Performance of Quantitative Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Assays
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to pose a significant global health challenge, with chronic infection affecting hundreds of millions of people despite effective vaccines and antiviral therapies.... Read moreMolecular Diagnostics
view channel
Blood Test Could Identify High Risk Individuals for Type 2 Diabetes
Prediabetes is a highly heterogeneous metabolic condition, making it difficult to determine who will progress to type 2 diabetes or develop serious complications. While some individuals remain stable for... Read more
Blood Test Promises Faster Answers for Deadly Fungal Infections
Invasive mold infections caused by filamentous fungi are among the most challenging fungal diseases to diagnose, as the organisms grow slowly and often take days to weeks to culture. Current diagnostic... Read moreHematology
view channel
Fast and Easy Test Could Revolutionize Blood Transfusions
Blood transfusions are a cornerstone of modern medicine, yet red blood cells can deteriorate quietly while sitting in cold storage for weeks. Although blood units have a fixed expiration date, cells from... Read more
Automated Hemostasis System Helps Labs of All Sizes Optimize Workflow
High-volume hemostasis sections must sustain rapid turnaround while managing reruns and reflex testing. Manual tube handling and preanalytical checks can strain staff time and increase opportunities for error.... Read more
High-Sensitivity Blood Test Improves Assessment of Clotting Risk in Heart Disease Patients
Blood clotting is essential for preventing bleeding, but even small imbalances can lead to serious conditions such as thrombosis or dangerous hemorrhage. In cardiovascular disease, clinicians often struggle... Read moreImmunology
view channelBlood Test Identifies Lung Cancer Patients Who Can Benefit from Immunotherapy Drug
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with limited treatment options, and even newly approved immunotherapies do not benefit all patients. While immunotherapy can extend survival for some,... Read more
Whole-Genome Sequencing Approach Identifies Cancer Patients Benefitting From PARP-Inhibitor Treatment
Targeted cancer therapies such as PARP inhibitors can be highly effective, but only for patients whose tumors carry specific DNA repair defects. Identifying these patients accurately remains challenging,... Read more
Ultrasensitive Liquid Biopsy Demonstrates Efficacy in Predicting Immunotherapy Response
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, but only a small proportion of patients experience lasting benefit, with response rates often remaining between 10% and 20%. Clinicians currently lack reliable... Read moreMicrobiology
view channelAI-Powered Platform Enables Rapid Detection of Drug-Resistant C. Auris Pathogens
Infections caused by the pathogenic yeast Candida auris pose a significant threat to hospitalized patients, particularly those with weakened immune systems or those who have invasive medical devices.... Read more
New Test Measures How Effectively Antibiotics Kill Bacteria
Antibiotics are typically evaluated by how well they inhibit bacterial growth in laboratory tests, but growth inhibition does not always mean the bacteria are actually killed. Some pathogens can survive... Read moreTechnology
view channelAptamer Biosensor Technology to Transform Virus Detection
Rapid and reliable virus detection is essential for controlling outbreaks, from seasonal influenza to global pandemics such as COVID-19. Conventional diagnostic methods, including cell culture, antigen... Read more
AI Models Could Predict Pre-Eclampsia and Anemia Earlier Using Routine Blood Tests
Pre-eclampsia and anemia are major contributors to maternal and child mortality worldwide, together accounting for more than half a million deaths each year and leaving millions with long-term health complications.... Read moreIndustry
view channel
WHX Labs Dubai to Gather Global Experts in Antimicrobial Resistance at Inaugural AMR Leaders’ Summit
World Health Expo (WHX) Labs in Dubai (formerly Medlab Middle East), which will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 10-13 February, will address the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance... Read more







