Early diagnosis of cancer by urine analysis
Scientists from the University of Nebraska, the Mayo Clinic and the Italian National Cancer Center have developed a diagnostic approach that consists in identifying changes that occur with breast cells at the first stages of malignant degeneration.
Researchers have found that a number of metabolites (cleavage products) of the female sex hormone estrogen can react with DNA, which leads to its damage and triggering molecular events leading to the development of breast cancer, prostate and other organs. The authors obtained evidence of this with the help of a simple urine test, which they offer as a screening test.
Apparently, estrogen derivatives initiate malignant cell degeneration in cases where the natural mechanisms of DNA protection are disrupted as a result of genetic characteristics, environmental factors or lifestyle.
The proposed screening test allows you to analyze the profile of estrogen metabolites in the body and simultaneously assess the risk of developing breast cancer. To do this, a urine sample (approximately 30 ml) is analyzed using the tandem mass spectrometry method, which allows detecting about 40 compounds of the estrogen group, including estrogen and DNA complexes. Such complexes are formed by the interaction of estrogen derivatives with nucleotide bases that are part of DNA, mainly adenine and guanine. The resulting complexes "fall out" of the DNA chain, and the inability of the cell to repair the damaged area in time leads to the formation of mutations leading to its malignancy.
The authors claim that women who are at risk for breast cancer can be identified by the high level of such complexes in the urine, where they enter after being removed from the cell.
As part of the study, scientists determined the content of DNA-estrogen complexes in the urine of 46 women who are not at risk, 12 women who are at high risk, and 17 with a diagnosis of breast cancer. The levels of estrogen-DNA complexes in the urine of women of the first group were significantly lower than in the urine of women of the other two groups.
Currently, the authors are busy testing various natural compounds, the reception of which could prevent the development of breast cancer. The effectiveness of potential drugs is assessed by their ability to reduce the level of estrogen-DNA complexes in urine.
Experts agree that the proposed solution to the problem of early diagnosis and prevention of breast cancer is a very important achievement. They believe that further development and deepening of the issue will allow over time to create similar screening tests for early detection of prostate cancer, which also has a hormone-dependent nature, and, possibly, malignant tumors of other organs.
Article by Nilesh W. Gaikwad et al. The molecular etiology of breast cancer: Evidence from biomarkers of risk is published in the online version of the International Journal of Cancer.
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of ScienceDaily
12.02.2008