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 hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




New Method Uses Pulsed Infrared Light to Find Cancer's 'Fingerprints' In Blood Plasma

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 14 Apr 2025

Cancer diagnoses have traditionally relied on invasive or time-consuming procedures like tissue biopsies. More...

Now, new research published in ACS Central Science introduces a method that utilizes pulsed infrared light to identify molecular signatures in blood plasma that may indicate the presence of certain cancers. In this proof-of-concept study, blood plasma samples from over 2,000 individuals were analyzed to correlate specific molecular patterns with lung cancer, suggesting the possibility of a unique "cancer fingerprint."

Blood plasma, the liquid component of blood, is free of cells and transports various molecules, including proteins, metabolites, lipids, and salts throughout the body. Certain molecules within plasma can serve as biomarkers for potential health issues. For example, elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen are used for prostate cancer screening. A medical test that could analyze a wide range of molecules might be capable of identifying specific patterns associated with different types of cancer, enabling faster diagnoses and reducing healthcare costs. To identify potential chemical markers of cancer, researchers from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Munich, Germany) employed a method called electric-field molecular fingerprinting, which uses pulsed infrared light to analyze complex molecular mixtures in blood plasma.

In their study, the researchers applied this technique by directing ultra-short infrared light pulses through plasma samples. They then analyzed data from 2,533 participants, including individuals with lung, prostate, breast, or bladder cancer, as well as healthy controls. For each sample, they captured the "infrared molecular fingerprint," which represents the light emitted by the molecular components of the plasma. By examining these diverse molecular patterns from both cancer patients and non-cancer controls, the researchers trained a machine learning model to identify specific molecular signatures associated with the four cancer types. The model was tested on a separate set of samples to assess its ability to recognize new, unseen data. The technique achieved up to 81% accuracy in detecting lung cancer-related molecular patterns and distinguishing them from non-cancer samples. However, the model's performance was less effective in identifying the other three types of cancer. Moving forward, the researchers plan to refine and expand their approach to detect additional cancers and other health conditions.

"Laser-based infrared molecular fingerprinting detects cancer, demonstrating its potential for clinical diagnostics,” said LMU Munich researcher Mihaela Žigman. “With further technological developments and independent validation in sufficiently powered clinical studies, it could establish generalizable applications and translate into clinical practice — advancing the way we diagnose and screen for cancer today.”


Gold Member
Veterinary Hematology Analyzer
Exigo H400
Verification Panels for Assay Development & QC
Seroconversion Panels
New
Nutating Mixer
Enduro MiniMix
New
Herpes Simplex Virus ELISA
HSV 2 IgG – ELISA
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The cancer stem cell test can accurately choose more effective treatments (Photo courtesy of University of Cincinnati)

Stem Cell Test Predicts Treatment Outcome for Patients with Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer frequently responds to chemotherapy initially, but eventually, the tumor develops resistance to the therapy, leading to regrowth. This resistance is partially due to the activation... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: AI-analyzed images from the FDM microscope show platelet clumps in motion (Photo courtesy of Hirose et al CC-BY-ND)

AI Microscope Spots Deadly Blood Clots Before They Strike

Platelets are small blood cells that act as emergency responders in the body, rushing to areas of injury to help stop bleeding by forming clots. However, sometimes platelets can overreact, leading to complications.... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The new algorithms can help predict which patients have undiagnosed cancer (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Advanced Predictive Algorithms Identify Patients Having Undiagnosed Cancer

Two newly developed advanced predictive algorithms leverage a person’s health conditions and basic blood test results to accurately predict the likelihood of having an undiagnosed cancer, including ch... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.