New method for the diagnosis of cancer cells

New technology developed for the diagnosis of cancer cells

07/14/2014

When diagnosing cancer, uncertainties often arise, which in turn can significantly reduce treatment prospects. So has one „A study by the MedUni Vienna at the Clinical Institute of Pathology and at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research and at the Vetmeduni Vienna showed that two independent pathologists were in agreement only on every third diagnosis“, reports the MedUni Vienna. Overall, the diagnostic safety depends very much on the individual pathologist.

Together with the Viennese company „TissueGnostics“ Therefore, the researchers of the MedUni Vienna developed a procedure that should significantly improve the characterization of tumors. The „ new computer software helps to double the diagnostic security in the future“, this is the message from MedUni Vienna. The scientists led by study leader Lukas Kenner tested their new method on tissue samples of liver cell carcinomas and were able to clearly identify the samples according to the respective categories of „negative“ to „highly positive“ assign. The researchers have their results in the renowned specialist magazine „PLOS ONE“ released.

Significant improvement in diagnostic confidence
The exact determination of tumor tissue is of crucial importance in cancer therapy. For this purpose, in pathology, the cells and cell nuclei have been investigated with the aid of the microscope for biomarker expression in the tumors. However, the interpretation of the investigation results considerable uncertainties. When analyzing the same tissue section, two different pathologists often come to different conclusions. The researchers around Lukas Kenner therefore developed a software that should contribute to a significant improvement in the reliability of diagnosis. They tested these on 30 liver cell carcinomas and were able to use the software to make a clear categorization of the tissue samples.

Matrix of cancer cells more recognizable
According to the information provided by the MedUni Vienna „In the present work the expression of the proteins STAT5AB and JUNB was measured in an aggressive T-cell lymphoma“, STAT5 plays an important role in the development of leukemia and liver cancer, and the JUNB gene is involved in the development of tumors in lymphoid tissue. The software has enabled highly accurate digital photography and certain algorithms to accurately classify the tissue samples. The matrix of the cells and the nucleus could be displayed much better with their help than under the microscope, reports MedUni Vienna. Study leader Lukas Kenner emphasized that „Of course, the new program does not replace the pathologists“, but as „a complementary method that significantly increases safety in diagnosis.“

Improvement of therapy
The scientists at MedUni also assume that, „that the new technology will help to be able to specify in more detail the changes in the cancer cell currently divided into four categories.“ Thus, for example, a much finer categorization is possible, which facilitates the selection of exactly the right and individualized therapy option. „Cancer therapies are expensive. This new software will also help to better assess where expensive therapy is justified, but also in which case it is not necessary and can be spared“, emphasized study leader Lukas Kenner. (Fp)