A blood test detects cancer in the early stages
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Researchers from the University of Kansas have developed a simple but effective blood test, which can detect the presence of malignant tumors at the initial stage of development.
New development requires less itch to detect breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer - the most common type of lung cancer - even before the obvious symptoms (cough, weight loss) that point to the disease.
In the near future, scientists will test the test to identify early stages of pancreatic cancer.
The test was developed by the professor of chemistry, anatomy and physiology Stefan Bossman.
"We view this development as an important step towards improving the methods of early diagnosis of human malignant tumors," said co-author of the study, Dr. Troyer. "The new test will be able to help, first of all, smokers who are at risk of developing lung cancer, as well as people with a history of cancer oncology1."
The analysis of cancer, according to experts, should look like this: every quarter or once a year a person undergoes a non-invasive test, which can easily detect the presence of cancer on the initial stage of its development.
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2012 39,920 women died of breast cancer, and lung cancer killed 160,340 lives.
With the exception of breast cancer, most malignant tumors can be divided into four stages, which are subdivided according to the growth of the tumor and the spread of cancer cells throughout the body. Breast cancer and lung cancer are usually found and can be diagnosed in the second stage - when people begin to feel pain, fatigue and cough. Numerous studies show that the earlier it is possible to detect cancer, the more chances a person has to be cured of this disease.
"However, there is a very big problem - people may not even be aware of their illness. Usually, in the first stage, the oncological disease practically does not cause symptoms, that is, it does not show its presence.
The test works on the principle of detecting increased activity of enzymes in the body. Iron nanoparticles, coated with amino acids, are injected into a small amount of the patient's blood or urine. Amino acids and dye interact with enzymes in the patient's urine or a sample of his blood. Each type of cancer produces a specific combination of enzymes, so that physicians identify oncology.
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