Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have developed a quick test that can detect all types of cancer from blood or biopsy tissues within minutes. The test, developed by researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia, who have discovered a unique DNA nanostructure that appears to be common to all cancers. Cancer is an extremely complicated and variable disease and different types of cancer have different signatures.
It had been difficult to find a simple signature that was distinct from healthy cells and common to all cancers. "This unique nano-scaled DNA signature appeared in every type of breast cancer we examined, and in other forms of cancer including prostate, colorectal and lymphoma," said Abu Sina, from University of Queensland.
"The levels and patterns of tiny molecules called methyl groups that decorate DNA are altered dramatically by cancer - these methyl groups are key for cells to control which genes are turned on and off," said Sina. Researchers developed a tool that could look at these pattern changes at the whole genome level within minutes.
Read More...