Pill on a string can detect cancer without need for biopsy
A ‘pill on a string’ has been developed by the
University of Cambridge to detect the early signs of gullet cancer
without the need for a biopsy.
The
pill is swallowed and when the outer case dissolves it reveals a sponge
which can then be pulled up the throat lining, collecting cells.
Researchers say the tiny sponge is more effective at picking up cancer
because it takes a swab of the whole throat and not just a small area
that a biopsy would examine.
Oesophageal cancer is often preceded by Barrett’s oesophagus, a
condition in which cells within the lining of the esophagus begin to
change shape and can grow abnormally.
Between one and five people in every 100 with Barrett's oesophagus go on to develop esophageal cancer in their life-time, a form of cancer that can be difficult to treat, particularly if not caught early enough.
The new test can pick up the earlier condition which means treatment can start sooner.
“The trouble with Barrett’s esophagus is that it looks bland and might span over 10cm,” said Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, at the Medical Research Council Cancer Research Unit at the University of Cambridge.
“There is a great deal of variation amongst cells. Some might carry an important mutation, but many will not. If you’re taking a biopsy, this relies on your hitting the right spot.
“Using the sponge appears to remove some of this game of chance.”
The team has taken samples from 73 cancer patients over three years so that they know exactly which mutations indicate that the disease is present.
They found patterns of changes where one letter of DNA had been switched for another to provide a ‘fingerprint’ of cancer.
The researchers also discovered that there appeared to be a tipping point, where a patient would go from having lots of individual mutations, but no cancer, to a situation where large pieces of genetic information were being transferred between chromosomes.
Co-author Dr Caryn Ross-Innes adds: “We know very little about how you go from pre-cancer to cancer – and this is particularly the case in esophageal cancer.
“Barrett’s oesophagus and the cancer share many mutations, but we are now a step closer to understanding which are the important mutations that tip the condition over into a potentially deadly form of cancer.”
The research was funded by the Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK.
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Between one and five people in every 100 with Barrett's oesophagus go on to develop esophageal cancer in their life-time, a form of cancer that can be difficult to treat, particularly if not caught early enough.
The new test can pick up the earlier condition which means treatment can start sooner.
“The trouble with Barrett’s esophagus is that it looks bland and might span over 10cm,” said Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, at the Medical Research Council Cancer Research Unit at the University of Cambridge.
“There is a great deal of variation amongst cells. Some might carry an important mutation, but many will not. If you’re taking a biopsy, this relies on your hitting the right spot.
“Using the sponge appears to remove some of this game of chance.”
The team has taken samples from 73 cancer patients over three years so that they know exactly which mutations indicate that the disease is present.
They found patterns of changes where one letter of DNA had been switched for another to provide a ‘fingerprint’ of cancer.
The researchers also discovered that there appeared to be a tipping point, where a patient would go from having lots of individual mutations, but no cancer, to a situation where large pieces of genetic information were being transferred between chromosomes.
Co-author Dr Caryn Ross-Innes adds: “We know very little about how you go from pre-cancer to cancer – and this is particularly the case in esophageal cancer.
“Barrett’s oesophagus and the cancer share many mutations, but we are now a step closer to understanding which are the important mutations that tip the condition over into a potentially deadly form of cancer.”
The research was funded by the Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK.
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Labels: dissolves, Esophageal cancer, esophagus, gullet cancer, no biopsy, pill on a string, swab, swallowed, throat
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