Early and non-invasive
Sponge with fishing line diagnose early stage of esophageal cancer
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
A simple method detects a precancerous condition, as well as cancer at an early stage. In terms of its effectiveness, it is already ahead of existing diagnostic methods.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University has presented a new diagnostic tool for detecting esophageal cancer at an early stage. Every year, this cancer kills more than 400 thousand people, and the five-year survival rate in patients with this diagnosis is about 40%, according to the university's website (Test for Esophageal Cancer Could Save Millions of Lives).
The diagnostic kit includes a tiny capsule, a 2-centimeter polyurethane sponge and a thread.
Photo: Stephen Meltzer, M.D. – VM
The patient simply swallows the capsule, which quickly reaches the stomach. Then the gelatin coating begins to dissolve, and a special sponge comes out of the capsule to collect biomaterial.
After that, the doctor pulls out the sponge, which allows you to get the biomaterial necessary for further research in a minute.
The test, called EsophaCap, uses certain genetic biomarkers to detect dangerous changes in the cells that line the esophagus.
Previous studies have shown that these biomarkers are able to diagnose "Baretta esophagus" – a precancerous condition in which epithelial cells change and can become malignant. The set of biomarkers includes the genes p16, NELL1, AKAP12 and TAC1. This combination gives a diagnostic sensitivity of 92%, the authors note.
The method has already been tested on 94 patients with various gastrointestinal symptoms, and almost half have been diagnosed with Baretta esophagus.
In terms of its effectiveness, EsophaCap is already ahead of existing diagnostic methods, scientists say.
"Endoscopy and biopsy are not ideal for screening due to their inaccuracy: such diagnostics are based on the examination of random tissue samples, and not specifically the esophageal mucosa. As a result, you can skip the early stages of cancer," says scientist Stephen Meltzer.
It is known that stomach cancer also has its own precancerous condition: in some patients with hereditary Lynch syndrome, the disease increases the risk by 75%. In the USA, a test has already been developed that detects certain genetic changes and indicates a predisposition to the patient.
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