Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a test to detect cancer using a urine test. A study that will enable the treatment of tumors to begin in the early stages was published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
In most cases, the earlier cancer is detected, the more effective the treatment and the better the patient’s chance of survival. Thus, in the first stage of lung cancer, 81% of patients will survive within a year after diagnosis, and in the fourth stage, 15% will survive.
In the new study, scientists used protease enzymes as biomarkers; These molecules “dissolved” the healthy tissue, paving the way for the tumor.
The test is based on nanoparticles with DNA molecules attached to them via a small protein “bridge”. They are recommended to be introduced into the human bloodstream. If a person has cancer and proteases are present in the blood, these enzymes will cut protein “bridges” on the nanoparticles. The latter will then be excreted in the urine. If a dark line appears on the paper urine test strip, this means that the person has protease in their blood and may have cancer.
Different types of cancer produce different enzymes. This means that the test can detect not only the presence of cancer but also its location. To do this, you need to coat the nanoparticles with a variety of DNA molecules: up to 50 of them can be found in just one nanoparticle. Testing on mice showed that it could distinguish lung cancer from tumors that originate in the intestines and then spread throughout the body. lungs
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