Detection of Brain Tumors Using Nanowires to Capture Cancer DNA in Urine Tests

A team of researchers at Nagoya University in Japan has developed an innovative technology to detect brain tumors by capturing cancer-derived extracellular vesicles and DNA using nanowires. By extracting and analyzing urine samples, they were successfully able to identify IDH1 mutation, a genetic marker for gliomas, a type of brain tumor. These findings revolutionize cancer detection methods by utilizing non-invasive urine tests. The results of their study were published in the esteemed journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

Traditionally, brain tumors are only diagnosed after the onset of symptoms, such as limb paralysis. However, by the time they are detected, they are often too advanced for surgical removal. Gliomas, in particular, have a very low average survival time of 12-18 months. Therefore, early detection is crucial for patients to have a chance at survival.

A significant number of patients undergo routine physicals that involve providing urine samples. These urine samples can be effectively utilized to search for indications of brain tumors. One characteristic of brain tumors is the presence of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which are released as the tumor cells divide and eliminate damaged cells. While the host’s cfDNA is usually eliminated by the body, cancer cells produce an excess amount that is excreted in the urine.

“The detection of these cells as a non-invasive method for cancer screening, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,” stated Professor Takao Yasui, a member of the research group. “However, the extraction of cfDNA from urine is challenging due to its short length, fragmentation, and low concentration.”

To overcome this challenge, the team led by Professor Takao Yasui, Professor Yoshinobu Baba, and Researcher Hiromi Takahashi from Nagoya University, in collaboration with Professor Takeshi Yanagida from the University of Tokyo and Associate Professor Sakon Rahong from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand, developed a catch-and-release method using zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire surfaces to capture cfDNA and extracellular vesicles from gliomas.

ZnO was chosen because water molecules on its surface form hydrogen bonds with cfDNA in urine samples. By washing out the bonded cfDNA, researchers can isolate trace amounts of it for analysis.

Their technique proved to be highly successful. Yasui stated, “We succeeded in isolating urinary cfDNA, which was exceptionally difficult with conventional methods. In addition to capturing cancer extracellular vesicles, we were pleasantly surprised to also capture cfDNA using a similar technique. When we analyzed the cfDNA, we detected the IDH1 mutation, which is a genetic marker for gliomas. This is the first report of detecting the IDH1 mutation from a urine sample as small as 0.5 ml.”

This research not only addresses the limitations of current cfDNA extraction methods, but it also provides a cutting-edge technique for the early diagnosis of cancer. “Although we focused on gliomas in this study, our method opens up possibilities for detecting mutations in other tumor types that cannot be isolated using conventional methods,” said Yasui.

 

Reference

Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.

Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.