Share:
Using smartphones to diagnose tumors faster with antibodies
In cancer research, tremendous progress has been made in recent decades. Many cancers can now be better treated and diagnosed earlier. Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute are now reporting a new rapid test that can detect tumors during surgery. Smartphones can help.
Many successes in cancer research
Cancer research has made great strides in recent decades. Meanwhile, some types of cancer are treatable, which came sooner than a death sentence. The compatibility of some therapies has also improved in part. In addition, experts have reported much in recent years on the success of immunotherapy against cancer. Last but not least, in many cases today cancer can be diagnosed much earlier. This increases the chances of recovery. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute are now reporting pioneering progress in research.
New tumor diagnosis via smartphone. Image: rocketclips - fotolia Completely remove diseased tissue
Antibodies not only fight viruses and bacteria, but also attach themselves to cancer cells in a very typical, characteristic way. The scientists use this property to detect cancer cells in tissue samples. In a press release, the experts said that surgeons can use such rapid tests already during surgery - within minutes and without expensive equipment. If the tumor shines brightly on the bluish-shimmering MRI image, the ulcer is localized. With this information, the surgeon can go to work, relying on his eyes.
The trick is not to cut away too much and completely remove the diseased tissue. "Accurately localizing tumors in tissue sections is not easy. At the heart of the carcinoma, it is easy to distinguish diseased from healthy tissue, but not at the edges: tumors spread asymmetrically, "Dr. Joachim Storsberg from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in Potsdam-Golm.
The histologist, a specially trained specialist, examines the excised tissue samples with high-resolution microscopes. He identifies characteristic structures for cancer cells and signals the surgeon whether ulcers are still present or not. According to the information, this can take several days.
New test can be applied during OP
The experts of the IAP have now developed a polymer-based rapid test that visually distinguishes tumor cells in a tissue section with a simple microscope of healthy cells. Another great advantage: The treating surgeons can still use the test in the operating room. This saves time and costs. "In principle, it is possible to detect the color change with a smartphone or a cheap camera.
This is interesting for hospitals that can not afford expensive diagnostic equipment - for example, in developing or emerging countries, "says the expert. "Research has shown that receptors are located on tumor cells that adhere to certain specially engineered antibodies - for example, estrogen antibodies to breast carcinomas. With the help of these "immunodiagnostics" the surgeon is able to check within a few minutes whether all diseased tissue has been removed, "explained Storsberg. "Once set on the tissue sample, the antibodies independently search for their counterpart - the typical receptors for them."
Scientists try to improve test further
As further explained in the press release, after applying the antibodies to the tissue sample, the surgeon adds a colored water solution to oxidize individual enzymes of the antibody. The color of the solution then changes: the tissue sites where this happens contain diseased tissue. "The test is very versatile: depending on the type of tumor, different antibodies can be used or combined," said Storsberg colleague Dr. med. Christian Schmidt. In the next step, a counter-test for safety characterizes the healthy cells characteristically.
The surgeon can complete the surgery as soon as both tests no longer detect tumor cells: then he has excised all diseased cells. It is said that the scientists are currently working to make the contrasting colors between healthy and diseased tissue cells even clearer. This work is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM).
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Germany
Despite all scientific advances, cancer - after cardiovascular disease - is still the second leading cause of death in Germany. According to the Federal Statistical Office, 25 percent of all persons who died in 2013 in Germany were suffering from cancer. More than 223,000 deaths from tumors were recorded. As scientists from the University of Oxford and King's College London found out in 2013, the disease cost the European Union (EU) a total of 126 billion euros in 2009. (ad)