Incredible new test could detect lung cancer in your pee in world first
A world-first urine test developed by scientists may reveal the earliest warning symptoms of lung cancer.
Lung cancer can be more difficult to cure because most cases in England are discovered at an advanced stage.
But early discovery, according to doctors, may allow patients to receive therapies sooner, improving their chances of recovering from the illness.
The innovative test searches for proteins known as “zombie” cells, which may be a sign that a patient has lung cancer in its early stages.
Scientists are planning to begin testing it on humans soon after it was successfully tested on mice.
Researchers from the Early Cancer Institute and the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge examined proteins released by senescent cells.
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Due to their inability to proliferate and divide, these cells are frequently referred to as “zombie cells” even though they are alive within the body.
By reprogramming their immediate surroundings to support the growth of cancer cells, the cells destroy tissue.
In order to detect zombie cells, researchers have created an injectable sensor that binds with their proteins and releases a chemical into urine that is easy to detect.
“We know that there are changes in the affected tissues before cancer emerges,” stated researcher Professor Ljiljana Fruk.
The buildup of damaged cells that are not severe enough to be destroyed but enough to emit signals that rewire the tissue and make it ideal for the growth of cancer is one of the alterations.
“We discovered a particular protein that these cells in lung tissue produce, and we created a probe that splits in two when it is present. The smaller of the probe’s two components is expelled into urine by the kidneys.
I m a doctor and these 5 changes could be a sign of deadly lung cancer
“This portion of the probe is too small to detect once in urine, but it can be made visible by adding a small amount of silver solution—the same silver compound used in photography back when analog images were first introduced.
“By monitoring the colour of urine after the injection of the probe we can say if cells are present in lungs that would indicate the early signs of pathological changes that might lead to cancer.”
She continued: “Ultimately, we wanted to develop a urine test that could help doctors identify signs of the early stages of cancer – potentially months or even years before noticeable symptoms appear.”
‘It works on mice’
The study’s researchers, who are supported by Cancer Research UK (CRUK), stated that they were eager to discover a test that would be less costly than pricey scans.
Prof. Fruk went on to say: “We urgently need sensitive, affordable, and user-friendly methods for early cancer detection, especially in high-risk populations or those at risk of cancer recurrence.
Urine tests like this one, which rely on particular proteins that can be connected to a specific tissue, could be carried out in hospital labs even without the need for costly imaging equipment.
“We worked on the lung, but there are other proteins that will be present in other tissues changing.”
WHAT IS LUNG CANCER?
In the UK, lung cancer is the most frequent and lethal type of cancer.
Along with the prostate, breast, and colon, it is regarded as a common cancer, accounting for almost half of all new cases.
Every year, some 49,000 people receive a lung cancer diagnosis, and 35,000 of them pass away from the disease.
In the UK, lung tumors account for 21% of cancer deaths, but only 13% of cases, and only 10% of patients live for ten years or longer after receiving a diagnosis.
The primary cause of its high fatality rate is the early lack of evident symptoms.
When symptoms do show up, they could include:
- A cough that lasts three weeks or more, and may hurt
- Repeated chest infections
- Coughing up blood
- Breathlessness
- Unusual tiredness
Although the NHS does not regularly screen for lung cancer, it is increasing the number of tests it offers to high-risk smokers and ex-smokers in an effort to detect the disease early. CT scans of the chest and X-rays may be used in testing.
About 70% of instances of lung cancer are caused by smoking, making it the leading risk factor for the disease.
Those who have inhaled silica, asbestos, coal smoke, or other harmful substances at work may also be at greater risk.
In order to evaluate the test’s efficacy in humans, experts hope to conclude the pre-clinical phases of clinical trials shortly.
Prof. Fruk stated, “We have demonstrated that urine detection is effective in mice.”
“We must now proceed with additional pre-clinical validation, identify particular proteins in various malignancies (we are interested in pancreatic, breast, and melanoma cancer), and validate it in patients.
Naturally, in addition to science, we must ensure that a kit is available that hospital lab personnel worldwide can utilize with ease.
“Lots of progress has been made in the treatment of particular types of cancers, but we need to do more and we need to do it faster.”
“Cancer Research UK has been at the forefront of lung cancer progress for more than 50 years, with over half a million lives saved from lung cancer since the mid-1980s,” stated Dr. Iain Foulkes, executive director of research and innovation at CRUK.
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“The announcement of this project being led by Professor Fruk is another example of our commitment to driving progress so that more people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”
“With Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we hope people will do what they can to show their support – whether that’s backing our Smokefree UK campaign or donating to help our scientists make the next big breakthrough,” stated Patrick Kelly, CRUK’s East of England spokesperson.
Other promising lung cancer treatments
- Scientists are working on creating tiny robots made from algae that could shrink lung cancer tumours and boost survival by 40 per cent
- Experts think lorlatinib could be the best lung cancer drug ever and say it could add years to the lives of patients dying from the disease
- A new vaccine, using the same tech as the Covid jab, trains the immune system to target tumour markers from non-small cell lung cancer
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