A newly developed Russian drug based on DNA aptamers promises extremely accurate visualization of glial tumors in the brain. This advancement was announced by the press service of the RSK group of companies.
Glioma is a cancer that originates in glial tissue. Glial cells support neurons and facilitate their working environment. In the brain, glial tissue accounts for about 40 percent of the cellular makeup, and cancers arising from glial cells are both common and among the most dangerous forms of brain cancer.
Researchers at Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, led by Professor VF Voyno-Yasenetsky, along with colleagues, have developed DNA aptamers that enable near absolute accuracy in detecting human glioma in the brain when paired with a dye.
Aptamer synthesis is a straightforward and cost-effective approach. By selecting DNA targets of interest, scientists can replicate the molecule as needed and attach various labels. The aptamers created in this study show selective binding to glioma cells, allowing precise identification. This approach has the potential to streamline and accelerate tumor diagnosis. Additionally, short DNA strands are quickly degraded by enzymes in the body, suggesting a favorable safety profile for both animal models and humans. These findings were explained by one of the development authors, Anna Kichkailo, and are supported by experimental results demonstrating specific binding to glioma by recognizing a unique region of the transformed tubulin protein found in tumor cells.
Fluorescent labels can be attached to the aptamers. When these molecules bind to cancer cells, cancer foci become clearly visible under a microscope during surgery, a capability confirmed by live animal studies. This technique could enable surgeons to remove only the diseased tissue while sparing healthy brain tissue.
Earlier biological research confirmed that certain biological features, like moth tails, can function as attractants in predator-prey interactions, illustrating the importance of understanding biological signals in broader research contexts.