Tumor cells circulating in blood are markers for the early detection and prognosis of cancer.
However, detection of these cells is challenging because of their scarcity. In the journal Angewandte Chemie, scientists have now introduced an ultrasensitive method for the direct detection of circulating tumor cells in blood samples. It is based on the amplified, time-resolved fluorescence measurement of luminescent lanthanide ions released from nanoparticles that bind specifically to tumor cells.
Conventional techniques for the detection of circulating tumor cells require complicated enrichment before detection because a sample of 10 million blood cells only contains about one tumor cell. In contrast, the new method developed by a team working with Xiaorong Song, Xueyuan Chen, and Zhuo Chen, at Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, and Fujian Cancer Hospital (Fuzhou, Fujian, China), works with no enrichment step and directly detects circulating tumor cells in blood samples. The technique is based on a so-called “dissolution-enhanced time-resolved photoluminescence” and uses fluorescing nanoparticles made of lanthanide europium complex.
First the researchers produced antibodies against the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM, which is a glycoprotein that is present in very high numbers on the surfaces of many tumor cells and acts as a diagnostic marker for cancer). These antibodies were applied as a coating in the wells of microplates, causing tumor cells contained in the blood sample to remain stuck deep in the wells as other blood components were removed.
The scientists coated the europium-containing nanoparticles with the same antibodies. This caused large numbers of the nanoparticles, added in solution, to specifically bind to the tumor cells. A subsequently added “developer” dissolved the nanoparticles, releasing myriad europium ions. These were immediately bound and tightly locked up by other components of the developer solution. This resulted in a manifold amplification of the fluorescence.
Another essential advantage of this method is that europium ions are very long-lived fluorophores that continue to fluoresce for several microseconds after excitation with a flash of light. Because the measurements are time-resolved, it is possible to start the measurement with a delay. Background signals caused by the autofluorescence of cell components only continue for a few nanoseconds and fade before the measurement begins. This increases the sensitivity of the measurements, making it possible for the researchers to detect a single tumor cell per microplate well.
Tests with blood samples from cancer patients registered as few as 10 cells per milliliter of blood. Fourteen out of fifteen cancer patients were correctly identified by this new method. The number of tumor cells in the samples correlated strongly with the stage of cancer in each patient.
Learn more: Direct detection of circulating tumor cells in blood samples
The Latest on: Cancer blood test
[google_news title=”” keyword=”cancer blood test” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Cancer blood test
- Blood-Based CRC Screening Should Be Used Solely as Secondary Optionon May 3, 2024 at 9:09 am
Blood-based screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) should only be used with patients who are not completing other endorsed screening options, according to a study.
- More young women are getting breast cancer. So an expert panel recommends this changeon May 2, 2024 at 11:12 pm
More: New blood test under development by Lilly and Roche could make diagnosing Alzheimer's easier Women may want to start getting screened earlier because cancer in younger people tends to be more ...
- Cancer Supertests Are Hereon May 2, 2024 at 8:12 am
Multi-cancer-screening tools—or “ cancer-finding supertests ,” as Galleri has been called— aren’t yet endorsed by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, or formally approved by the Food and Drug ...
- Artificial intelligence could help diagnose cancer with one spot of dried bloodon May 1, 2024 at 2:32 pm
Scientists in China have created a test using artificial intelligence that can detect cancer using one spot of dried blood.
- Dallas’ Breakthrough Blood Test for Canceron April 30, 2024 at 7:18 pm
A North Dallas diagnostic firm may be on the verge of revolutionizing the cancer screening process. Cancer Check Labs has developed a technology that can screen 40ml of blood and detect the growth of ...
- AI tool may help detect cancer in a few minutes with a drop of bloodon April 29, 2024 at 7:57 am
An AI-powered tool may be able to detect pancreatic, gastric, or colorectal cancer with a sensitivity of 82–100% and takes just a few minutes, a new study indicates.
- New blood test shows promise in early detection of ovarian canceron April 28, 2024 at 7:28 pm
A study reveals that glycoproteins in blood could be key biomarkers for early detection and staging of epithelial ovarian cancer, potentially allowing diagnosis through a simple blood test.
- Balancing hope and reality: The promise and peril of blood-based colorectal cancer screeningon April 24, 2024 at 1:30 am
A simple blood test to detect colorectal cancer sounds amazing. But unlike colonoscopy, a blood test can't remove precancerous polyps.
- AI-powered tool detects cancer in minutes with one drop of bloodon April 23, 2024 at 6:52 am
Scientists in China have developed a test that detects three types of cancers with just one spot of dried blood.
- Detecting cancer in minutes possible with just a drop of dried blood and new test, study hintson April 22, 2024 at 9:19 am
Early tests suggest that a new tool that requires only a single drop of blood could detect three of the deadliest forms of cancer.
via Bing News