Doctors have learned to predict the development of brain cancer
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Scientists have found that the human immune system changes its activity about five years before the onset of a cancerous brain tumor. This conclusion was made on the basis of experiments conducted by specialists from the American University of Ohio.
"Even before the brain tumor can be detected, the body changes protein interaction, which leads to a violation of the transfer of information from one immune structure to another. If you know how to use this information skillfully, you can learn to diagnose brain cancer in advance, "explains epidemiologist Judy Schwartzbaum.
The course of the research is described in detail in the scientific journal Plos One: the scientists told about the experiments that made it possible to study more thoroughly such a tumor as glioma is the most common malignant brain tumor. On average, people with a similar diagnosis live no more than 14 months from the time they discover a neoplasm.
It is usually 2 to 4 months after the onset of glioma symptoms and before diagnosis. Neoplasm develops rapidly, so the probability of cure for the disease is low.
"Paying attention only to the clinical signs of a tumor, doctors lose valuable time. It is necessary to come up with such laboratory studies that would help determine the cancer process at the initial stage of its development in order to timely diagnose and begin treatment, "the authors of the research say.
Scientists also take into account that it is unrealistic to conduct laboratory tests absolutely for all patients for early diagnosis of cancer, and it is financially impractical.
Dr. Schwartzbaum examined the blood of almost a thousand volunteers: one in two of them was eventually found to have a cancerous brain tumor. Blood samples were taken from the Norwegian archive of biological materials.
It is worth noting that Dr. Schwartzbaum for many years investigated the relationship between the allergic process and the development of the tumor. During the experiments, the role of cytokines - protein structures establishing the connection between the cells of the immune system was established. Based on the results of the last project, the doctor suggested that an allergic reaction provides some protection against malignant process - just by increasing the amount of cytokines.
Evaluation of blood samples of patients revealed that at the initial stage of cancer development there is a disruption of the relationship between individual cytokines. Against the background of this violation, immunity weakens, which allows the neoformation to develop actively.
"It is noticed that a couple of years before the discovery of the first signs of glioma, you can see a pronounced violation of the relationship of cytokines. It may very well be that this is the mechanism for the initiation and development of the cancer process, "the scientists express their confidence.
Changes in cytokines are important not only for successful diagnosis, but also for the development of an effective regimen for the treatment of brain oncology: the usual stimulation of immune defense can help in the fight against tumors.
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