World-First Urine Test Uses ‘Zombie’ Cell Proteins for Early Lung Cancer Detection

Lung cancer has a poor prognosis for many patients because symptoms often do not appear until the disease has spread to other parts of the body or throughout the lungs. Now, researchers have developed a novel urine test for the early detection of lung cancer. This test, the first of its kind, identifies ‘zombie’ cells, which may signal the initial stages of the disease. The goal is that early detection through this simple urine test could lead to earlier treatment interventions, improving patient outcomes and survival rates.

The research conducted at the University of Cambridge (Cambridge, UK) aims to provide an affordable, easy-to-use sensor that uses urine samples to detect lung cancer before it progresses. This new urine test focuses on spotting the disease early, offering doctors the ability to detect it before it fully develops. The scientists focused on proteins released by senescent cells—also known as ‘zombie’ cells, which are alive but no longer capable of dividing or growing. These cells can cause tissue damage by altering their surrounding environment, making it conducive to the development of cancer cells. The test is designed to detect these ‘zombie’ cells, as their presence in the body can be an early indicator of potential cancer development.

Although these senescent cells are not entirely dead, they accumulate in tissues and alter their environment in ways that facilitate the uncontrolled growth of cancerous cells. Researchers have developed an injectable sensor that interacts with proteins from zombie cells, releasing a compound that can be easily detected in the urine, signaling their presence. In preclinical testing with mice, the team has shown that the urine test is effective. The process begins with an injection of the sensor, which binds to the target proteins. Once the sensor is cleaved by the protein, a smaller part travels to the kidneys, where it is filtered and excreted through the bladder into the urine.

The second part of the test involves the use of a silver solution, which was once used in traditional photography, to change the color of the urine. By monitoring the urine's color after the sensor injection, researchers can determine if zombie cells are present in the lungs, potentially indicating early pathological changes that could lead to cancer. This technique offers the possibility of identifying lung cancer months or even years before symptoms appear. In some cases, this early detection could lead to cures without the need for surgery. The test could also offer a more affordable alternative to scans, which are currently used to detect lung cancer earlier. As the research team progresses into the final stages of pre-clinical validation, they are also exploring the use of this technology for detecting other types of cancer, including breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and melanoma.

“We have almost completed a functional urine test to detect ‘zombie' cells in lung cancer, which will spot cancer earlier and avoid the need for invasive procedures, but this test does have potential for other cancers,” said Professor Ljiljana Fruk from the University of Cambridge. “Developing more efficient cancer treatments requires earlier detection and better therapies, but also work with other disciplines for a more holistic view of the disease, which is an essential part of my research.”

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