Test strip for PSA determination
Russian scientists have developed an express test to detect cancer
Scientists of the National Research Technological University of NUST MISIS, together with colleagues from Lomonosov Moscow State University, have developed an express test to determine prostate cancer.
The test is based on immunochromatographic analysis, which makes it possible to visually determine the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood serum without using special equipment. The PSA – tumor marker contained in the blood is an organ-specific marker, and not a marker associated with any specific prostate disease. It can be used to detect any type of prostate cancer, especially its early forms, which are subject to radical treatment.
The results of the research were presented at the videoconference "Scientific and technological solutions for the medicine of the future" (Moscow-Delhi), held at the MMPC MIA "Russia Today". In Russia, prostate cancer in men over 60 years of age is the most common malignant neoplasm. Unfortunately, this disease is often diagnosed already at late stages. The developments of NUST MISIS scientists can significantly increase the detection of the disease in the early stages, which increases the chances of successful treatment.
Mass laboratory screening for the presence of PSA due to the high cost turned out to be an economically unjustified part of the population's medical examination programs. An express test, which in 10 minutes allows you to identify the possibility or exact presence of the disease, can be a significant help in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer.
"The kit, which has passed the necessary medical tests, contains: a test strip, a scarifier (a tool for piercing the skin) and a disinfecting cloth. For testing, it is enough to immerse the strip with one end in the test serum solution. If the test substance (in this case PSA) is present in the solution, then it binds to antibodies labeled with special gold nanoparticles. They are held in the test area of the device and manifest themselves in the form of one, two or three transverse test lines," explained Alexander Osipov, senior researcher at the Department of Functional Nanosystems and High–Temperature Materials at NUST MISIS.
If only one strip is highlighted, it means that the test works, but the number of PSA is so small that it is safe to say that there is no disease. If two strips are stained, it is necessary to conduct more thorough studies, since the amount of PSA is more than 4 nanograms per milliliter, and this indicates the possible presence of the disease. If the subject sees three stripes, then the amount of PSA exceeds 10 nanograms, and the issue of starting treatment for prostate cancer needs to be urgently addressed.
The tests are extremely simple, they allow you to make a preliminary diagnosis directly at a doctor's appointment, and if necessary, quickly start treatment.
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