We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

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

Blood Tests for Detecting Antioxidant and Inflammation Levels Could Diagnose Breast Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 07 Apr 2022
Print article
Image: Antioxidant, inflammation levels may reveal new diagnostic tool for breast cancer (Photo courtesy of Pexels)
Image: Antioxidant, inflammation levels may reveal new diagnostic tool for breast cancer (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world. Identifying new diagnostic techniques is of major importance to efforts that aim to minimize the disease’s devastating effects. Now, a new study that analyzes levels of antioxidants and stress markers in the blood could lead to a new diagnostic tool for breast cancer.

Researchers from the University of Lahore (Lahore, Pakistan) explored the role that inflammatory and stress markers may play in the development and progression of breast cancer. The research team examined blood samples from premenopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer. When compared to age-matched controls without cancer, the breast cancer patients had significantly increased levels of inflammatory markers.

Among the overexpressed markers were the pro-inflammatory protein interleukin-1, matrix metalloproteinase 9 - an enzyme that is overexpressed in several diseases - and heat shock protein 27. This protein acts as an antioxidant that typically prevents or reduces cell death. However, in some disease states - such as cancer - heat shock protein 27 has been found to be both protective and destructive. In addition, the breast cancer group had low levels of protective compounds such as vitamins A, C and D, catalase - an enzyme that protects cells from oxidative stress - and the antioxidants superoxide dismutase and glutathione.

“The breast cancer pathophysiology included an overbalance of oxidants or stress markers and an underbalance of antioxidants,” said Samina Malik, MBBS, MPhil, first author of the study. This proportion of pro- and anti-inflammatory components may play “a crucial role in the metastasis of breast cancer” and may be useful as a diagnostic marker for the disease, according to the researchers.

Related Links:
University of Lahore 

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
Gold Member
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The 3D printed miniature ionizer is a key component of a mass spectrometer (Photo courtesy of MIT)

3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models

Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The new blood test identifies key biomarkers of osteoarthritis (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Predicts Knee Osteoarthritis Eight Years Before Signs Appears On X-Rays

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis, impacting millions worldwide and resulting in significant economic and social costs. Although no cure exists currently, the effectiveness of... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Exosomes can be a promising biomarker for cellular rejection after organ transplant (Photo courtesy of Nicolas Primola/Shutterstock)

Diagnostic Blood Test for Cellular Rejection after Organ Transplant Could Replace Surgical Biopsies

Transplanted organs constantly face the risk of being rejected by the recipient's immune system which differentiates self from non-self using T cells and B cells. T cells are commonly associated with acute... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The Sampler device could revolutionize sample collection for diagnostic tests (Photo courtesy of ReadyGo Diagnostics)

First of Its Kind Universal Tool to Revolutionize Sample Collection for Diagnostic Tests

The COVID pandemic has dramatically reshaped the perception of diagnostics. Post the pandemic, a groundbreaking device that combines sample collection and processing into a single, easy-to-use disposable... Read more