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

Download Mobile App




Prostate Cancer Markers Based on Chemical Make-Up of Calcifications to Speed Up Detection

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 25 Jul 2025

Prostate cancer can be difficult to detect early, limiting timely and appropriate treatment. More...

While calcification—calcium build-up in soft tissues—has previously been suggested as a possible indicator, it remains underexplored. Diagnosing the disease accurately and quickly is essential to improving patient outcomes and reducing the need for invasive treatments such as surgery. Researchers have now found that certain chemical elements within calcifications appear to be linked to how aggressive the cancer is. Analyzing the chemical composition of these calcifications could provide new markers to help doctors identify the disease sooner.

The research team at Keele University (Keele, EN, UK; www.keele.ac.uk) had previously demonstrated that calcifications could signal prostate cancer. In their latest study, the researchers expanded on that work by analyzing their chemical composition. To do this, researchers used the Diamond Light Source synchrotron in Oxford to examine calcified prostate tissue at a highly detailed level. Their investigation focused on identifying the elements present within the calcifications and exploring whether any correlations existed with tumor severity.

In their study published in ACS Chemical & Biomedical Imaging - Bioimaging of Metals, the researchers reported that elements such as iron, copper, nickel, manganese, and chromium were associated with the tumor’s Grade Group classification. These findings indicate that the presence of certain elements could serve as early warning signs of cancer aggression. The simplicity of detecting such markers could eventually lead to personalized treatment plans and reduce reliance on invasive interventions. The researchers plan to build on this discovery by developing new diagnostic markers based on elemental analysis of prostate tissue, aiming to detect cancer earlier and help doctors determine the most appropriate treatment path for each patient.

“For the first time in prostate tissue, we’ve been able to look closely at what these tiny calcium deposits are made of, and we’ve found that certain elements seem to be linked to how aggressive the cancer is. That’s really exciting because it means we might be able to use these elements as early warning signs,” said Dr. Charlene Greenwood, co-lead author of the study. “The hope is that this research will lead to better ways to spot prostate cancer earlier and help doctors decide on the best treatment for each patient, potentially avoiding more invasive procedures.”


New
Gold Member
Automatic Hematology Analyzer
DH-800 Series
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
Sample Transportation System
Tempus1800 Necto
Sperm Quality Analyis Kit
QwikCheck Beads Precision and Linearity Kit
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

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The novel approach could improve early cancer detection (Photo courtesy of AdobeStock)

Simple Blood Test Offers Non-Invasive Alternative for Early Colon Cancer Detection

Colorectal cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, and early detection is critical for improving patient outcomes. Current methods, such as colonoscopy, are effective but invasive... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: New evidence shows viscoelastic testing can improve assessment of blood clotting during postpartum hemorrhage (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Viscoelastic Testing Could Improve Treatment of Maternal Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage, severe bleeding after childbirth, remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, yet many of these deaths are preventable. Standard care can be hindered by delays... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The SWITCH hybrid pipette is designed to simplify and accelerate pipetting tasks (Photo courtesy of INTEGRA)

Hybrid Pipette Combines Manual Control with Fast Electronic Aliquoting

Manual pipettes offer the control needed for delicate tasks such as mixing or supernatant removal, but typically fall short in repetitive workflows like aliquoting. Electronic pipettes solve this problem... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.