We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Biomarker Identified for Aggressive Early Stage Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Apr 2017
Print article
Image: The LSM 700 laser scanning microscope (Photo courtesy of Zeiss).
Image: The LSM 700 laser scanning microscope (Photo courtesy of Zeiss).
Breast cancer begins as anomalous cells that divide out of control, usually in the milk ducts and in almost all cases, a patient does not succumb to the initial cancer but to the secondary tumors after the cancer has spread.

Over the past two decades, mammography's ability to detect ever more miniscule lesions has significantly increased and as a result, many patients with harmless lesions undergo surgery and radiation therapy. By sorting the aggressive from the benign, doctors could tailor therapies more accurately to each patient and avoid the dual pitfalls of costly overtreatment and potentially fatal undertreatment.

Scientists at the Whitehead Institute and their associates analyzed the regulators of about 350 genes with increased expression in the invasive regions of cancers. The team also analyzed the gene SWI/SNF Related, Matrix Associated, Actin Dependent Regulator (SMARCE1) levels in tissue samples from about 200 early stage breast cancer patients in a retrospective study. Those with the highest SMARCE1 levels were the most likely to suffer from metastasis and have the worst outcomes. The relationship between SMARCE1 levels and prognosis held true for lung and ovarian cancer patients as well, suggesting that the gene's importance is not limited to one kind of cancer.

The team used many different methods to arrive at their conclusions, including cell culture, module identification, identification of candidate upstream regulators, three-dimensional invasion assays, Western blots, in vivo tumorigenicity and metastasis assays, measurement and quantification of circulating tumor cells and immunochemistry. Microscopic imaging and analysis was performed using confocal images of spheroids, which were captured by using a laser scanning microscope, the LSM 700 series.

The scientists found that SMARCE1 only seems to be important during the early stages of metastasis, making it a suitable biomarker for this critical step. When the team analyzed SMARCE1 activity in a model of human breast tissues, they determined that SMARCE1 is required for localized breast cancer cells to escape into the surrounding tissues. Without it, the cells stay confined and relatively harmless. They found that 50% of the early-stage cancers with high SMARCE1 expression will metastasize at some point in the 10 to 15 years after their initial diagnosis.

Yu-Xiong Feng, PhD, a senior co-author of the study said, “We looked at every step of the metastatic cascade, and the tumor growth at the primary site, as well as the growth at the distant metastases, are not affected by this gene.” The study was published on April 4, 2017, in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA.

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
Systemic Autoimmune Testing Assay
BioPlex 2200 ANA Screen with MDSS

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.