Australian researchers develop 10-minute test to detect cancer | Look how cool it is

The test was developed after researchers at the University of Queensland discovered that cancer forms a unique DNA structure when it is placed in water .

The test works by identifying the presence of this structure, a discovery that could help detect cancer in humans well before current methods.

"Discovering that cancer DNA molecules formed totally different 3D nanostructures of circulating DNA was a breakthrough that allowed for a whole new approach to non-invasive cancer detection in all tissues, including the blood, "said Matt Trau, one of the authors of the study, in a statement.

"This led to the creation of portable and inexpensive detection devices that could eventually be used as a diagnostic tool, possibly with a mobile phone," he added.

Abu Sina, a co-investigator, said the test was an "important discovery" that could be a "driver of change" for cancer detection.

"Cancer is a complicated disease and each type (of cancer) currently has a different testing and screening system." In most cases, there is no general test to determine its status. "- Abu Sina, co-researcher

Scientists around the world have been looking at ways to identify cancer at an early stage, as early detection is known to increase the success rate of therapeutic and of surgery

The 10-minute test developed in Australia still needs to be tested in humans, and large clinical trials are needed before they can be used in potential patients, but the signs are positive

Researchers have reported that tests of more than 200 blood and tissue samples have detected cancer cells with 90% accuracy.

For the time being, it is not possible to detect cancer cells. has been used only to detect bad, prostate, intestinal and lymphoma cancers, but scientists believe that the results can be replicated with other types of the disease.

cancer changes the DNA of s healthy cells, especially in the distribution of molecules called methyl groups, and the test detects this modified pattern when it is placed in a solution such as water.

"Using a high-resolution microscope, we found that cancerous DNA fragments bent into three-dimensional structures in the water.They were different from what we have seen with normal tissue DNA in the water, "says the article.

The test uses gold particles, which bind to DNA affected by cancer and "may affect molecular behavior so as to cause visible color changes," he said. added.

Laura Carrascosa, another researcher who participated in the study, says that, if proven, her method of detecting cancer could be of benefit for detection and diagnosis in rural or underdeveloped areas .

"The advantage of this method is that it is so simple: it is almost devoid of equipment, you can do it with few resources" – Laura Carrascosa, researcher

The next step for team is to organize early cancer clinical studies can be detected and whether the test can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. They are also studying the possibility of using different body fluids to detect different types of cancer from the beginning to the end of the disease.