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A technique to obtain as much information as possible from the blood of cancer patients has been developed.
The discovery could potentially accelerate early diagnosis, drug discovery and lead to advances in personalized medicines. The study funded by Cancer Research UK is published in the Advanced Materials today (Wednesday).
Scientists at the University of Manchester have taken blood samples from women with advanced ovarian cancer who had been treated with a type of chemotherapy called CAELYX®. This chemotherapy drug is contained in a lipid-based soft nanoparticle, called liposome, which acts as a vessel to help minimize side effects.
The women gave a blood sample following an injection of CAELYX® for a duration of 90 minutes as part of their treatment. By extracting the injected liposomes, scientists were able to detect a wide variety of biomolecules glued to the surface of the liposome – called "corona biomolecules".
Professor Kostas Kostarelos, lead author of the University of Manchester, said: "We are amazed at the wealth of information collected on the surface of blood liposomes, and we hope this technique can serve as a springboard for further research. progression or recurrence of the disease, to determine which treatment is best for each patient and to search for new biomarkers for early diagnosis. "
This is a step forward in the development of a better technique for collecting information in patients' blood – a halo effect of biomolecules sticking to liposomes has already been observed, but only after dipping the nanoparticles into samples of blood in a tube outside the patient. body.
Dr. Marilena Hadjidemetriou, author of the study at the University of Manchester, said: "Blood is a potential mine of information, but it is difficult to amplify cancer signals which would otherwise be buried in the "noise".
"More abundant proteins mask smaller, smaller molecules that could help us understand the progression of the disease or find new potential therapeutic targets, and this technique addresses this challenge."
Dr. Caroline Dive, a liquid biopsy expert at Cancer Research UK, said, "Many scientists are researching a test to diagnose, track, and treat cancer." Liquid biopsies are faster, cheaper, and more accurate. less invasive than this technique, and this technique is an important first step in the development of such a test.Subsequent work will reveal what information captured with liposomes can tell us about the disease. "
The researchers are now hoping to use this technique in the mouse to help find the best biomarker models for identifying cancers in the early stages of the disease as part of its Cancer Research UK Pioneer Award, which funds innovative ideas from of all disciplines that can revolutionize our understanding of cancer. Cancer.
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Material provided by Cancer Research UK. Note: Content can be changed for style and length.
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