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
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Novel Methylated DNA Markers Assay Detects Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 20 Jun 2019
Print article
A histopathology of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a gland-forming cancer. In this example, the adenocarcinoma has wrapped around a nerve (center of the image) (Photo courtesy of JHM).
A histopathology of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a gland-forming cancer. In this example, the adenocarcinoma has wrapped around a nerve (center of the image) (Photo courtesy of JHM).
An estimated 56,770 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the U.S. in 2019, and more than 45,750 will die from the disease. Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. and is expected to become the second leading cause by 2020.

A large majority of pancreatic cancer cases are not caught until the disease is already in its later stages and much harder to treat. Although the common symptoms for pancreatic cancer can include yellow skin, abdominal or back pain, or unexplained weight loss, these signs usually do not appear in the disease's early stages or are not specific enough to suggest cancer.

Gastroenterologists at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN, USA) and their colleagues used 170 archival plasma samples from pancreatic cancer patients who had donated samples to the Mayo Clinic biorepository and 170 control samples. Of those 340 plasma samples, they tested for the 13 methylated DNA markers and for CA 19-9 levels in 120 control cases and 120 advanced stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cases, 60 of which were Stage 3 and 60 of which were Stage 4.

The scientists reported that in an initial training set, the combined methylated DNA marker CA 19-9 panel detected 90% of Stage 3 and 98% Stage 4 PDACs at 97.5% specificity. Combining all 340 cases and controls, the cross-validated sensitivity of the panel was 79% in Stage 1, 82% in Stage 2, 94% in Stage 3 and 99% in Stage 4 PDAC at a specificity of 92%. The investigators concentrated on an analyses that yielded 13 candidate novel methylated DNA markers: GRIN2D, CD1D, ZNF781, FER1L4, RYR2, CLEC11A, AK055957, LRRC4, GH05J042948, HOXA1, PRKCB, SHISA9, and NTRK3, that they found to be strongly associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common subtype of pancreatic cancer.

The team cooperated with commercial company Exact Sciences (Madison, WI, USA). Shounak Majumder, MD, a gastroenterologist and senior author of the study, said, “One of the real-world struggles with this disease is that we do not have good tools for early detection, and we know that if the disease is detected early it results in better outcomes for our patients. The only currently available blood test for pancreatic cancer is CA 19-9, and we know that in up to 10% to 15% of patients with pancreatic cancer, the CA 19-9 values are normal or undetectable. It's not always a very reliable test in that setting.” The study was published in the May 2019 supplement of the journal Gastroenterology.

Related Links:
Mayo Clinic
Exact Sciences


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
Gold Member
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.