Researchers at the University of Michigan have made a significant breakthrough in the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) found in the blood of patients suffering from pancreatic and lung cancers, as detailed in their recent study published in *Biosensors and Bioelectronics*. Detection Challenges Tumors have a tendency to release cancerous cells into the bloodstream as they grow.
Given that these circulating tumor cells are vastly outnumbered by regular blood cells, their early detection is crucial for improving treatment outcomes.
For instance, pancreatic cancer usually has a poor prognosis since it is often diagnosed too late for effective intervention.
Similarly, detecting recurrences in lung cancer can be quite challenging after treatment. Current methods for detecting CTCs typically depend on tagging specific proteins found on the surface of tumor cells with fluorescent dyes.
While this makes it easier to spot these cells in blood samples, the process has its drawbacks.
Some tumor cells may not express the targeted proteins, leading to potential misidentification.
Additionally, these approaches often kill the cancer cells, rendering them unsuitable for further analysis. Innovative Methodology Professor Sunitha Nagrath pointed out that conventional techniques often result in the destruction of cancer cells, limiting their utility for additional research.
Recognizing the need for a more effective approach, the team aimed to identify CTCs while preserving their viability. To innovate their method, the researchers delved into using biolasers.
Although they still utilized dyes to stain the cancer cells, their novel technique does not harm the cells.
Instead of concentrating solely on surface proteins, they focused on staining the nuclei of the cells, a feature common to all cell types, thus enhancing the applicability of their method. To extract circulating tumor cells from the blood of pancreatic cancer patients, the researchers employed a device known as the Labyrinth.
This device sorts cells based on size, directing the larger tumor cells to different paths in the maze, much like the way a truck and a bicycle would navigate turns differently due to their size differences. Once isolated, the tumor cells were placed between two mirrors.
Then, an excitation laser was applied to each cell individually, producing a stronger light emission than traditional fluorescence techniques.
This emitting light, referred to as “cell lasers,” reveals distinct shapes that provide insights into the DNA organization within the cancer cells, contrasting with the standard glowing spheres produced by fluorescent methods. Future Directions Intrigued by the subtle emissions, the team incorporated machine learning into their analytical process.
Using a model called the Deep Cell-Laser Classifier, they achieved an impressive 99% accuracy in identifying pancreatic cancer cells.
This model even showed the ability to identify lung cancer cells without any additional training, despite being initially trained on pancreatic cancer cells. Professor Xudong Fan highlighted that while other research teams are exploring the use of biolasers, their work is pioneering in its focus on cancers and circulating tumor cells in a clinical setting.
The research team strives to refine their technology not only to detect but also to isolate cancer cells more effectively.
Currently, their method requires removing the top mirror to collect circulating tumor cells, which can risk losing track of them.
Thus, there’s a need for a more sophisticated sorting mechanism that allows for sequential processing of the cells through the laser’s excitation point. The team is also curious about utilizing light patterns produced by the cells to differentiate between more aggressive or treatment-resistant tumors.
Nagrath remarked on the varied nature of circulating cells, suggesting that monitoring changes in more aggressive cells during treatment could provide valuable insights. In summary, this innovative research showcases the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the realm of cancer detection methods.
Through this exciting development, the team not only enhances early identification of circulating tumor cells but also lays the groundwork for future advancements in cancer care.
Source: ScienceDaily