PIB Summary- 21th February, 2025 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Common biomarker for range of Cancers offers potential non-invasive method for early cancer diagnosis

Context

Researchers have identified common metabolites in exosomes across different cancer types.

This discovery enables non-invasive early detection and targeted therapeutic strategies for improved cancer treatment.

Research on Universal Cancer Biomarkers

• Some cancers, like pancreatic and glioma, are diagnosed late, making treatment difficult.
• Scientists found common substances (metabolites) in tiny messengers called exosomes, which cancer cells release.
• These metabolites may act as universal markers to detect cancer early and develop better treatments.
• Researchers studied exosomes from pancreatic, lung, and glioma cancer cells.
• They used advanced techniques like imaging, mass spectrometry, and molecular analysis for accurate results.
• The study helps understand how cancer spreads and interacts within the body.
• These biomarkers can lead to precise, non-invasive cancer detection methods.
• Targeted therapies could block harmful metabolic pathways, making treatments more effective with fewer side effects.
• The findings support personalized medicine and better patient outcomes.

 What are biomarkers?

• Biomarkers are measurable indicators of biological processes, diseases, or responses to treatment.
• They can be molecules like proteins, genes, or metabolites found in blood, tissues, or body fluids.
• Biomarkers help in early disease detection, diagnosis, and monitoring treatment effectiveness.
• They are widely used in cancer research, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders.
• Some biomarkers indicate disease risk, while others track disease progression.
• Non-invasive biomarkers, like those in blood or urine, are preferred for easy detection.
• Biomarkers aid in developing personalized medicine and targeted therapies.
• Examples include glucose for diabetes, PSA for prostate cancer, and troponin for heart attacks.

Common biomarker for range of Cancers offers potential non-invasive method for early cancer diagnosis

Context

• Aggressive cancers like pancreatic and glioma are often diagnosed late with poor prognoses.
• Early detection remains a major challenge, emphasizing the need for non-invasive biomarkers.

Potential Solution:

• Researchers have identified common metabolites across various cancer types (pancreatic, lung, glioma), indicating potential universal cancer biomarkers.
• Nano messengers (Exosomes) serve as carriers of tumor-derived metabolites, offering a window into the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Key Findings of the Study

• Conducted by Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Key researchers: Ms. Nandini Bajaj and Dr. Deepika Sharma.

Metabolite Identification:

• Exosomes derived from pancreatic, lung, and glioma cancer cell lines contain common metabolites.
• These metabolites may act as universal biomarkers enhancing early detection and therapeutic strategies.

Tumor Microenvironment (TME) Insights:

• Identified metabolites show dysregulated metabolic pathways within TME.
• Offers insights into cancer progression mechanisms and targeted therapy development.

Methodology and Techniques Used

• Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA): Measured size and concentration of exosomes.
• Electron Microscopy (EM): Provided detailed visualization of exosome morphology.
• Western Blot (WB): Confirmed presence of exosomal markers.
• Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): Analyzed chemical composition.
• Untargeted Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS): Identified and quantified diverse metabolites.
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR): Offered structural and metabolic profiling.

Clinical Implications and Applications

• Enables non-invasive, early cancer detection through exosome analysis.
• Potential to serve as universal biomarkers applicable across multiple cancer types.

Therapeutics:

• Targeting dysregulated metabolic pathways could improve treatment efficacy.
• Insights from TME interactions enable precision medicine and personalized therapies.

Patient Outcomes:

• Enhanced early detection could improve survival rates for aggressive cancers.
• Targeted therapies may reduce side effects by focusing on cancer-specific pathways.

Future Prospects and Challenges

• Validation of biomarkers in clinical settings with larger patient cohorts.
• Investigate long-term reliability and specificity of identified metabolites.

Potential Impact:

• Could revolutionize cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, especially for hard-to-detect cancers.
• Personalized, non-invasive approaches may become the standard of care in oncology.

Conclusion

• The study published in Nanoscale marks a significant advancement in cancer research, highlighting the potential of exosome-derived metabolites as universal biomarkers.
• This approach could pave the way for early, non-invasive diagnosis and targeted therapies, offering better patient outcomes and precision treatment strategies.