New Identification Method for Cancerous DNA to Reduce Need for Painful Biopsy Surgery
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 09 Sep 2024 |
|
Currently, most cancer patients must undergo an invasive and expensive surgical biopsy to remove a tissue sample from their tumor to determine the best treatment options. However, all individuals have small amounts of DNA that circulate freely in their blood, which is not confined within blood cells. In cancer patients, some of this circulating free DNA (ctDNA) originates from their tumors. This ctDNA differs from their normal circulating DNA as it carries mutations that have turned these cells from healthy to cancerous. Thus, ctDNA can provide insights into the cancer's characteristics and indicate which treatments might be most effective. Existing methods to analyze ctDNA are hampered by its low abundance and the presence of a larger quantity of non-cancerous DNA in the blood samples.
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh, UK) are now developing a novel method to identify cancerous DNA that could reduce the need for painful biopsies. This new technique, known as SNARE, aims to simplify the processing of blood samples to enhance the detection and characterization of cancerous DNA. The team is working on creating both robotic benchtop systems and microfluidic platforms (similar to certain types of lateral flow tests) and will evaluate these methods using blood samples from breast cancer patients to achieve more sensitive ctDNA detection and reduce the need for expensive DNA sequencing.
In patients with advanced-stage cancer, significant amounts of DNA in the bloodstream can often be detected, but by this stage, it is frequently too late for a cure. On the other hand, in early-stage cancer patients, where treatment success rates are higher, over 99% of the circulating free DNA typically originates from healthy cells, complicating the identification of cancerous mutations. The Heriot-Watt research team plans to further develop MicroSNARE, which they have already tested in the lab, with the aim of diagnosing, analyzing, and characterizing tumors at an earlier stage. They also aim to detect cancer recurrence before it can progress and spread. MicroSNARE promises a groundbreaking, less invasive approach to cancer detection, potentially enabling earlier diagnosis and intervention.
Related Links:
Heriot-Watt University
Latest Pathology News
- Simple Test Could Reduce the Need for Invasive Uterine Cancer Checks
- Tumor Blood Vessel Features May Help Predict Colorectal Cancer Survival
- Multimodal AI Improves Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk Prediction Beyond Standard Genomic Testing
- Machine Learning Cytology Tool Improves Cancer Cell Identification
- CAP Updates Cancer Protocols to Refine Breast Cancer Biomarker Reporting and GIST Molecular Testing
- Tumor Budding Grading May Predict Chemotherapy Benefit in Resected Lung Squamous Cancer
- AI Spatial Analysis of Routine Slides Helps Predict Pancreatic Cancer Recurrence
- Hybrid Computational Imaging Method Improves Digital Pathology Resolution
- FDA Clearance Expands Digital Pathology Options for Clinical Laboratories
- Label-Free Imaging Reveals Hidden Immune Activity in Blood Samples
- AI Tool Improves Prediction of Immunotherapy Response in Lung Cancer
- New Journal Addresses Evolving Needs in Clinical and Translational Pathology
- AI Matches Pathologists in Predicting Breast Cancer Prognosis from Immune Cells
- AI-Pathologist Framework Improves Accuracy and Reliability in Cancer Diagnosis
- New Review Highlights Intelligent Agents as Next Step for Digital Pathology
- Simple Immunohistochemical Size Ratio Improves Classification of Primary Aldosteronism
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Blood Biomarker Patterns Could Support Monitoring of Anti-Amyloid Treatment
Patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease may receive anti-amyloid therapy to clear amyloid protein deposits from the brain. These treatments can slow disease progression, but they do not cure the... Read more
Prehospital Blood Test Could Reduce Emergency Transfers for Chest Pain
Chest pain leads to ambulance transport to an emergency department for about 95% of patients, although only a minority have a serious cardiac condition. Troponin testing helps assess heart muscle damage,... Read more
First-of-Its-Kind Rapid Blood Test Gains CE Mark to Support Prehospital Stroke Triage
Rapid stroke identification before hospital arrival is critical because treatment efficacy declines with every minute of delay. However, definitive assessment typically requires hospital-based imaging,... Read more
Multi-Cancer Blood Test Expands Detection to Cancers Lacking Routine Screening Options
Many lethal cancers lack routine screening and are often diagnosed only after symptoms emerge, limiting curative options. Standard programs in the United States cover a small subset of malignancies, leaving... Read moreMolecular Diagnostics
view channel
Portable Test Differentiates Seven Mosquito-Borne Viruses at Point of Care
Mosquito-borne viral illnesses can present with overlapping symptoms such as fever, joint pain, fatigue, and rash, making them difficult to distinguish without laboratory testing. In these settings, clinicians... Read more
Molecular Skin Test May Help Guide Treatment Selection in Atopic Dermatitis
Patients with atopic dermatitis (eczema) often struggle to achieve consistent symptom control, leading many to alter or switch systemic therapies when treatment is ineffective. Newly published survey data... Read more
Genetic Testing Program Helps Uncover Inherited Risk in Pediatric Cancer
Inherited cancer risk can affect children, adolescents and young adults, but it may not always be apparent from tumor type or family history alone. Some cancer syndromes require specialized expertise and... Read more
Genomic Breast Cancer Study Adds Real-World Evidence Across Diverse Patient Populations
Early-stage breast cancer treatment planning requires balancing recurrence risk, tumor biology, and the potential benefit of systemic therapy. These decisions can be challenging when certain patient groups... Read moreHematology
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
Werfen Expands Automated APS Testing with FDA-Cleared and CE-Marked IgA Reagent
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder associated with thrombosis and pregnancy complications, but its symptoms can overlap with those of other conditions, complicating diagnosis.... Read more
Blood Biomarker May Predict Colitis Risk in Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy
Immune checkpoint inhibitors can trigger immune-related colitis that leads to severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and treatment interruptions. Clinicians currently lack validated tools to identify which patients... Read more
Blood EBV Activity Biomarkers May Predict Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Months Ahead
Predicting relapse in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains difficult, limiting opportunities for timely intervention and monitoring. Although many people harbor latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), growing evidence... Read more
Microbiology
view channel
FDA Clears Rapid Phenotypic Antimicrobial Susceptibility System for Positive Blood Cultures
Bloodstream infections require prompt treatment, but antimicrobial susceptibility results often lag behind a positive blood culture. Conventional testing can take another 24 to 48 hours after a culture... Read more
New Urine Test Expands Mycotoxin Analysis to 31 Markers for Broader Exposure Assessment
Clinical evaluation of mold exposure increasingly relies on urinary mycotoxin testing, but limited marker coverage and metabolite masking can make results more difficult to interpret. Broader analysis... Read more
Technology
view channel
New Automation Workflow Streamlines NGS Library Preparation for High-Volume Labs
Demand for next-generation sequencing (NGS) continues to rise as laboratories process growing sample volumes, yet library preparation remains labor-intensive and a frequent source of variability.... Read more
ADLM Calls for CLIA Updates to Support Safe AI Use in Laboratory Medicine
Clinical laboratories increasingly use artificial intelligence to verify, interpret, and report results, but safeguards under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) were designed in 1992.... Read more
Industry
view channel
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
Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Pathology Asia Expand Genomic Testing Across Asia-Pacific
Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Pathology Asia Holdings (PAH), together with subsidiary LifeStrands Genomics, announced a strategic investment and collaboration focused on expanding access to advanced diagnostics... Read more
