A recent development in the field of cancer diagnosis has brought about a new method to detect brain cancer that is faster and less invasive than traditional surgical biopsies. This new technique only requires 100 microliters of blood, making it a much simpler process for patients. Within just an hour, this novel ‘liquid biopsy’ can detect biomarkers associated with glioblastoma, which is known to be the most deadly and common type of brain tumor. The accuracy of this new method surpasses all previous tests and markers for glioblastoma, making it a significant advancement in the field of cancer detection.
The scientists behind this breakthrough are a collaborative team from the University of Notre Dame in the US and Australia. The prototype they have developed shows “near turn-key functionality”, indicating its potential for widespread use in the future. The new test is based on detecting mutated blood biomarkers, specifically epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs), which are known to be overexpressed in certain types of cancer, including glioblastoma. These biomarkers are found within extracellular vesicles, small packages that contain a variety of cellular material including proteins and genetic material.
The Technology Behind the Test
To detect the mutated blood biomarkers, the researchers utilized a supersensitive biochip that costs less than $2. This biochip is equipped with a tiny sensor that is specifically designed to detect the presence of mutated EGFRs. The interface of the biochip contains antibodies that are attracted to exosomes carrying these mutated biomarkers. When the EGFRs attach to the biochip, a change in voltage occurs, indicating the possible presence of cancer. In experiments using clinical blood samples, the biochip was able to accurately detect cancer biomarkers with high accuracy and replicability.
Potential Impact on Cancer Research
The implications of this new technology go beyond just brain cancer detection. The ability of the biochip to accurately quantify exosome concentrations, even at low levels, could have significant impacts on cancer research, biomarker discovery, and disease monitoring. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed. Mutated EGFRs are not solely connected to glioblastomas and are linked to other diseases as well, such as colorectal cancers. This means that the test is not able to diagnose all cases of potential glioblastoma, nor can it identify the specific type of cancer a patient may have.
In order to create a more specific and reliable test, the researchers suggest analyzing larger cohorts of glioblastoma patients to identify unique biomarkers that differentiate them from other cancer types. By establishing specific profiles for different cancers at various stages, the diagnostic platform could be further refined to provide more accurate and targeted results. The team acknowledges that there are still improvements to be made in order to make this diagnostic platform more effective in clinical settings.
While this new liquid biopsy test shows promise in the early detection of brain cancer, there are still limitations that need to be addressed. By continuing to refine the technology and conduct further research, it is possible that this breakthrough could revolutionize the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment in the future.
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