Technology is evolving.
In 2020, the world witnessed approximately 19.3 million new cancer cases, and this figure is anticipated to surge to 28.4 million by 2040.
Though the absence of definitive cancer cures persists, early detection and treatment substantially enhance outcomes across various cancer types. Scientists persistently seek innovative methods for prompt cancer identification.
A research team from Sweden’s University of Gothenburg recently uncovered pivotal structural changes in sugar molecules, known as glycans, within cancer cells, offering potential for pinpointing distinct cancer varieties.
The team’s study, published in the journal Cell Reports Methods, sheds light on glycans—complex sugar molecules attached to proteins and fats within the body. Dr. Daniel Bojar, the lead author and an associate senior lecturer in bioinformatics at the University of Gothenburg, elaborated on glycans’ intricate nature to Medical News Today, highlighting their role as chains of diverse sugar units with altering connections dictating their function.
Dr. Bojar emphasized how mutations in tumors influence the proteins forming these sugar chains, resulting in modified glycans. Additionally, factors like inflammation accompanying tumors impact the production of specific glycan structures.
Acknowledging the scarcity of rigorous statistical analysis in comprehending glycans’ role in cancer development, Dr. Bojar underscored their research’s intent to harness new methodologies for deeper insights into these molecules’ significance.
The team studied tissue data from around 220 individuals diagnosed with cancers such as gastric, skin, liver, prostate, colorectal, and ovarian cancers. Their approach, employing AI to study glycans’ substructures, discerned variations contingent on cancer types.
Glycans’ complexity necessitates advanced analytical methods like AI, enabling improved data quality crucial for identifying pertinent substructures with statistical robustness, according to Dr. Bojar.
While the study concentrated on specific cancer types, Dr. Bojar asserted the method’s potential applicability across diverse cancers, especially for glycans consistently present across various types.
He proposed the future utility of a blood or saliva test derived from this research for expedited early cancer detection. Dr. Bojar highlighted its minimal invasiveness compared to biopsies and its potential for continual cancer monitoring, including post-treatment surveillance.
The team’s next phase involves gathering additional cancer data, particularly saliva samples from lung cancer patients, to augment and refine their findings. Simultaneously, they aim to employ identified universal and specific cancer markers to develop tests using glycan-binding proteins, ensuring rapid and cost-effective patient assessments.
Although predicting the widespread availability of such a test is challenging, Dr. Bojar anticipates validating these tests on clinical patient samples within the next four to five years.
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