Early detection of mesothelioma and pancreatic cancer can be thanks to new biomarkers that researchers at identified hastened SomaLogic in Boulder, Colorado. Given the current difficulties in diagnosis and treatment of both these diseases with much enthusiasm among the medical community is met.
For the mesothelioma part of the study examines the SomaLogic team (led by Rachel Ostroff, Ph.d) 357 serum samples of patients previously diagnosed with mesothelioma and lung cancer collected. As the examples compared by individuals with benign lung disease high-risk were smokers and subjects which previously had samples taken from the asbestos. All samples were subjected to Aptamer-based Proteomics array technology.
In comparison, the team identified successfully 19 mesothelioma biomarkers that were considered significant. Of these biomarkers SomaLogic integrated staff then 13-plex random forest-set classification, blinded test in an effort, "Diagnose Mesothelioma among all clients". The researchers reports 100% specificity and 80% sensitivity, the ability to identify topics from asbestos exposed patients mesothelioma.
The team used the same technology and research model for the pancreatic cancer part of the study. Samples were from 143 patients with pancreatic cancer diagnosed and pulled compared to 116 control samples. Analysis, 25 percent of samples from two groups for blinded review were held. Based on this blinded follow-ups, reports the team a specificity of 96.5% and sensitivity of 65 percent. Additional tests that took into account patient symptoms, specificity (with sensitivity of 90 per cent) was improved to 75 percent.
Diagnosis is usually late for both mesothelioma and pancreatic cancer. Statistics show that about 20 percent of patients with pancreatic cancer survive more than a year of diagnosis date. At the time of diagnosis, more than 90 percent of patients have advanced tumors beyond the point where an option is surgical removal. Similar statistics were survival over a year mark for mesothelioma patients with a few patients.
According to Ostroff would "detection this aggressive cancers at an earlier stage patients for early treatment, identify that can improve survival and quality of life."
The new discovery was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research International Conference on Molecular Diagnostics in cancer therapeutic development. The Conference from September 27th to 30th in Denver was held.
Sources: EurekaAlert.org, DoctorsLounge.com
