Reviewed by Lexie CornerSep 3 2024
A researcher from Aston University has pioneered a new technique for cancer detection using light, aiming to make the process faster, more affordable, and less painful. The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Professor Meglinski examined the polycrystalline patterns in dried blood samples using a novel polarization-based image reconstruction method. In the early stages of diseases such as cancer, the structure and intermolecular interactions of blood proteins are altered.
To identify and categorize cells, Professor Meglinski and his colleagues utilized changes in the proteins' tertiary structure—their unique 3D shape—along with their quaternary structure, which refers to how multiple proteins assemble, to detect and classify cells.
This method enabled the researchers to conduct a detailed, layer-by-layer analysis of dry blood smears, which is crucial for distinguishing between malignant and non-malignant samples.
The team examined around 108 blood film samples, divided into three equal-sized groups: healthy volunteers, prostate cancer patients, and a third group consisting of patients with cancer cells more likely to exhibit aggressive growth.
Our study introduces a pioneering technique to the liquid biopsy domain, aligning with the ongoing quest for non-invasive, reliable, and efficient diagnostic methods. A key advancement in our study is the characterization of the mean, variance, skewness, and kurtosis of distributions with the cells, which is crucial for identifying significant differences between healthy and cancerous samples.
Igor Meglinski, Professor, Institute of Photonic Technologies, Aston University
Professor Meglinski said, “This breakthrough opens new avenues for cancer diagnosis and monitoring, representing a substantial leap forward in personalized medicine and oncology.”
The study's results showed a 90 % accuracy rate for early cancer identification and categorization, which is far greater than current screening techniques. The procedure is also less invasive and dangerous for patients because it uses blood samples rather than tissue biopsies.
This high level of precision, combined with the non-invasive nature of the technique, marks a significant advancement in liquid biopsy technology. It holds immense potential for revolutionizing cancer diagnosis, early detection, patient stratification and monitoring, thereby greatly enhancing patient care and treatment outcomes.
Igor Meglinski, Professor, Institute of Photonic Technologies, Aston University