Find out how to detect cancer early

Scientists at Stanford Medical University (USA) have discovered a new method that can detect cancer in the early stages with a micro-DNA sequence.

>>>Biological sensors help detect cancer early

According to Foxnews, in a new study, scientists injected a drug that is a microscopic DNA sequence into both tumor-containing mice and tumor-free mice. With this method, researchers try to change the classic cancer detection test method.

The director of Stanford's Canary Cancer Detection Center and research author, Professor Sanjiv "Sam" Gambhir said that with the previous blood and urine testing methods, doctors often have to depend on the discovery of "biomarkers" to search for tumors. "The challenge for these types of biomarkers is very rare, complex and often less accurate," Professor Gambhir said.

The DNA is activated by a special active substance that only works in cancer cells and produces a protein, named SEAP.

Each type of tumor secretes a specific substance that requires separate tests. Strange substances that are considered biological markers often appear in healthy tissues so a positive result does not mean that the person is actually suffering from cancer. In addition, in the case of a small tumor will not produce sufficient amount of substance to signal the appearance of the tumor.

For animal testing purposes, this experiment will help you detect 1mm of tumor equivalent to the size of a grain of rice. While researchers have not yet carried out experiments on humans, Gambhir hopes that this micro-DNA will help detect cancer at an early stage.

This type of DNA works by going into a cancer cell and producing a protein called SEAP , which is considered a cancer biomarker. After penetrating into all the micro cells in the body, healthy cells do not turn into SEAP because only cancer cells are activated. Results showed that within 48 hours, SEAP concentration appeared in blood of mice with tumors but not in mice without tumors. Then the DNA decomposes and disappears within the next two weeks.

In addition, the results also showed that SEAP concentration appeared most in the lung area of ​​mice, where the tumor was concentrated. This proves that SEAP not only signals the appearance of cancer but also indicates the severity of the disease.

Scientists believe that this method is safe and effective, although it has not been tested how much is sufficient to be effective for humans, Professor Gambhir believes this problem can be solved in a few years. until the experimental process is improved.