Siberian solution to pin down cancer at very early stages?

Print 23 October 2015
Marchmont Innovation News

Scientists at the Novosibirsk-based Vektor Virology and Biotechnology Research Center in Siberia are said to have developed a test system to diagnose very early stage cancers by DNA data, the Russian news agency TASS  reported , citing Vitaliy Kuznetsov, a research fellow at Vektor and one of the developers of the new test system. 

“We have come up with an epigenetic oncology marker, a special enzyme that probes DNA taken from a patient’s blood, saliva or urine samples for signs of an early-stage malignant tumor,” the researcher said. 

So far, tumors have been typically identified by the availability of specific proteins in blood. This kind of diagnostics can pinpoint a disease at its third or even fourth stage, second at the very most, when therapies are obstructed. 

“We are not looking at proteins; we’re looking at modified DNAs typical for a malignant tumor. These show up long before specific cancerous proteins start developing. That’s why our method is a tool in diagnosing a tumor at its initial stage of growth,” Mr. Kuznetsov explained. 

There are similar technologies abroad, he said. However, chemical detection methods used overseas are complex and expensive (an estimated $150-160). “They look at a single oncology marker only, showing an approximate 60% sensitivity. We look at ten genes all at once, showing an improved 90-95% sensitivity for a price of just $22,” the Siberian researcher said. 

All it takes to do a test is a few millimeters of blood, and results will be available within four-to-five minutes, he added. 

At the moment, the Vektor team is customizing the technology to diagnose colorectal cancer, one of the most widespread cancers. Further plans include the development of a system to identify lung, stomach and breast cancers. The technology and the new enzyme are reported to be all patented.

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