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Developed test for prostate cancer makes many prostate biopsy preventable
A prostate biopsy is a very unpleasant event for the affected men. The usual procedure requires the removal of tissue from the prostate. Researchers now identified the molecules responsible for the smell of prostate cancer. A newly developed process is able to detect this odor. This might help to avoid unpleasant prostate biopsies in the future.
The scientists from Indiana University were able to identify special molecules that are responsible for the smell of prostate cancer. A newly developed test can find these molecules, thereby saving many men a prostate biopsy. The physicians published the results of their study at this year's National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.
Prostate cancer is widespread among men in Germany. Researchers have now developed a new test that could avoid unpleasant prostate biopsies. (Image: tashatuvango / fotolia.com) Can a sensor smell prostate cancer?
The idea for this project began with a study that was published in 2014. This study found that trained dogs could sniff out prostate cancer with an accuracy of more than 97 percent, explains author Dr. Mangilal Agarwal of the Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute at Indiana University. The research team has been working for some time on a sensor that can detect a hypoglycemia based on a person's breath.
Early detection is crucial in prostate cancer
If dogs can smell prostate cancer, we should be able to do that too, says the researcher. Amanda Siegel. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Early detection is crucial to saving the lives of many men with prostate cancer, experts say. The screening test now used assesses the so-called PSA levels in a blood sample. This test then determines whether a biopsy must be performed or not.
Many biopsies are unnecessary
The prostate gland usually produces a specific protein in small amounts, but elevated levels may indicate many different conditions, including prostate cancer, the experts explain. The result of the test is often misinterpreted and this often leads to unnecessary biopsies. At present, about 60 percent of men who get a biopsy to detect prostate cancer would actually have to undergo such a test, the authors explain in the economic magazine "Forbes".
Risk factors for prostate cancer that you should be aware of:
- With age, the probability of prostate cancer increases
- Diseases in the family history
- Large people are more likely to contract prostate cancer
- Black-skinned men are at an increased risk
- Obesity is a risk factor for prostate cancer
- Certain previous cancers increase the risk for prostate cancer
Unnecessary interventions can be avoided by a new test
We hope that our research will help physicians and patients make more informed decisions about whether to perform a biopsy, the researchers say. Thus, unauthorized interference can be hopefully avoided.
Experts examined 100 urine samples from men with prostate biopsy
For their examination, the physicians collected urine samples from 100 men undergoing a prostate biopsy. To avoid problems that had similar sample-reduction studies, Dr. Ing. Agarwal a special preprocessing step. They added sodium chloride and neutralized the acid. This was to ensure that the samples would remain intact during the analysis, the researchers explain.
Physicians discover molecules that are present in prostate cancer 90 percent
The researchers then used the so-called gas chromatography mass spectrometry to determine the volatile organic compounds. Using this method, researchers identified a small set of molecules that emerged in 90 percent of samples from patients with prostate cancer.
Further research is needed
Next, the team plans to conduct extensive testing at several health centers to validate their findings. With a dog trainer, the results of the test should also be compared with the results of trained dogs. The researchers said that their test could be available to patients and doctors in the coming years. (As)