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
- AI Tissue Imaging Helps Guide Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer
- Imaging Platform Maps Lipid Accumulations in Fabry Heart Tissue
- Tissue-Based Gene Signature Signals Colorectal Cancer Recurrence Risk
- FDA-Approved Companion Diagnostic Detects PTEN Loss in Prostate Cancer
- New AI Test Delivers Rapid Breast Cancer Recurrence Predictions
- EBV Status Helps Predict Survival in Primary CNS Lymphoma
- AI Pathology Tool Predicts Immunotherapy Response in Rare Cancers
- Uncertainty-Aware AI Tool Improves Digital Pathology for Cancer Subtyping
- Study Highlights Biomarker Testing Delays in Lung Cancer Care
- Stain-Free Imaging Platform Matches Standard Cancer Pathology
- New Companion Diagnostic Expands Precision Medicine in Prostate Cancer
- Uncertainty-Aware AI Platform Supports Automated HER2 Assessment in Breast Cancer
- AI Tool Speeds Brain Tumor Classification from Routine Histology Slides
- IHC Companion Diagnostic Standardizes Mismatch Repair Testing for Cancer Immunotherapy
- AI Pathology Tool Predicts Meningioma Recurrence from Routine Slides
- 3D Spatial Multi-Omics Maps Intra-Tumor Diversity in Colorectal Cancer
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Blood Biomarker May Signal Cognitive Decline Risk a Decade Before Symptoms
Accurately identifying which cognitively healthy older adults will later develop impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease remains difficult, as brain scans and genetic testing provide only part of the risk picture.... Read more
Ultrasensitive Biosensor Detects Early Liver Fibrosis from Blood
Early diagnosis of liver fibrosis remains challenging because the condition often progresses without symptoms, while traditional assessments rely on invasive biopsy or costly imaging. Timely identification... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
HPV Assay Gains Expanded CE Mark for Self-Collected Vaginal Samples
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and is largely preventable through vaccination and regular screening. However, even where organized screening programs exist, participation varies... Read more
Fully Automated Test Advances Hepatitis D Diagnosis and Monitoring
Hepatitis D virus infection can accelerate progression to cirrhosis and liver cancer, making timely diagnosis and longitudinal monitoring essential. Because hepatitis D depends on co-infection or superinfection... Read more
Blood Test Achieves Improved Detection of Advanced Precancerous Colorectal Lesions
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, yet screening uptake remains suboptimal. More than 50 million eligible adults are not up to date with recommended... Read more
Hematology
view channel
New Biomarkers Predict Resistance to Targeted Therapy in Rare Blood Cancer
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive leukemia with limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. Although tagraxofusp is the first approved targeted therapy for... Read more
AI Decision Support System Guides Treatment Selection for Complex Blood Cancers
Treatment selection for hematologic malignancies often requires clinicians to synthesize clinical histories, genomic alterations, prior therapies, and rapidly evolving drug options. These complex decisions... Read more
Immunology
view channel
Diagnostic Models Detect Hidden Eye Abnormalities After Mild COVID-19
Persistent ocular symptoms after COVID-19 can severely affect reading, work, and daily tasks, yet standard eye exams often reveal no clear abnormalities. Patients experiencing photophobia, eye pain, and... Read more
Anti-Lipid Antibody Biomarkers May Identify Early Lyme Disease and Persistent Symptoms
Lyme disease is often missed during its earliest and most treatable stage, while current serologic assays cannot distinguish active infection from prior exposure. Nearly half a million Americans are diagnosed... Read more
Emergency Department Opt-Out Testing Program Identifies Undiagnosed HIV
Undiagnosed HIV continues to drive avoidable morbidity and transmission, with many people identified only after substantial immune damage has occurred. In England, about one in 20 people living with HIV... Read more
Immune Biomarkers Could Identify Risk of Chronic Critical Illness on ICU Admission
Severe traumatic injury can trigger immune and organ dysfunction that complicates recovery in the intensive care unit. A subset of patients develop chronic critical illness, defined as dependence on intensive... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Rapid Panel Identifies Gram-Negative Pathogens and Resistance Markers in Bloodstream Infections
Bloodstream infections require rapid identification of causative pathogens and resistance mechanisms to guide effective therapy. Delays in profiling gram-negative organisms, which are frequently associated... Read more
Bacterial Growth Assay Predicts COVID-19 Severity From Plasma
COVID-19 presents with a wide clinical spectrum, from mild illness to severe, life-threatening disease. Early differentiation between patients likely to remain mild and those at risk of severe progression... Read more
Technology
view channel
Training Device Improves Accuracy of Pooled Molecular Diagnostics
High-throughput molecular diagnostics have transformed infectious disease detection, but many workflows remain difficult to execute accurately without extensive training. Sample pooling can cut per‑test... Read more
New CE-Certified Software Advances Whole-Genome Cancer Testing
European hospitals are increasingly using comprehensive tumor genomics to guide therapy, but routine whole genome sequencing (WGS) requires validated, regulation-compliant workflows. A newly CE-certified... Read more
National Rare Disease Registry Standardizes Genetic and Clinical Data for Coordinated Care
Rare diseases collectively impose a significant clinical burden despite their individual rarity, often involving multisystem presentations and prolonged diagnostic journeys. Limited specialist expertise... Read more
Industry
view channel
Leica Biosystems to Expand Pathology Portfolio Through StatLab Acquisition
Leica Biosystems, an operating company of Danaher, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held StatLab Medical Products from Linden Capital Partners and Audax Private Equity.... Read more
