Sugar will help to identify cancer
Last reviewed: 20.05.2018
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New cancer research has shown that malignant growths absorb more sugar and scientists have suggested that it can be used in the diagnosis of cancer.
According to experts, replacing the synthetic substance with sugar will not only help in diagnosis, but will also have a positive psychological effect on patients.
Studies were conducted at the Lund University, located in Sweden. Specialists said that sugar can easily replace the contrast agent used during the diagnosis of cancerous tumors.
The scientists made their conclusions on the basis of experiments conducted with the participation of seven volunteers, of whom three were diagnosed with brain cancer, and the rest were absolutely healthy.
Studies have shown that cancerous tumors absorb more sugar, compared to normal tissues that surround it.
According to scientists, there are several advantages of using sugar instead of contrast medium. First of all, sugar does not have a harmful effect on the patient's body, in addition, the cost of a substance based on sugar is an order of magnitude less contrast agents with synthetic components. Another advantage of using sugar can be its positive psychological effect on cancer patients - scientists believe that substances based on sugar have a calming effect on patients.
Now the sugar substance has only one drawback - this method of diagnosis is unacceptable for patients with diabetes, but Swedish scientists do not intend to stop there, and they want to continue their research in this direction. Soon experts plan to start a new stage of research with the participation of a new group of volunteers.
By the way, scientists believe that one of the rare types of sugar (L-fucose), which is present in mushrooms, algae, seeds, can help in the treatment of skin cancer ( melanoma ). According to experts, the spread of melanoma can be stopped if it turns out to change the metabolism of L-fucose.
At the University of California, a team of specialists believes that cancer can be diagnosed by human body fluids. The method of this diagnosis was called a liquid biopsy by scientists and developed a special test, which in 10 minutes only one drop of saliva will help to establish a diagnosis, while the test can be carried out independently. According to scientists, the test shows the result with 100% accuracy.
Today, oncologists use a blood test, which is performed after a biopsy and shows the genetic profile of the cancer. But for a primary diagnosis of cancer, a blood test has not been used since some time. American experts believe that the analysis of saliva can reveal a tumor at the initial stages of development, which is extremely important.
Professor David Wong, who led the study, noted that in a few months, clinical trials of the new testing methodology will be organized. Now it is only known that patients with lung cancer will participate in the experiments.
The researchers noted that they are interested not only in the test for detecting cancer, but also the absence of erroneous positive results.
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