Researchers at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) have come up with a pioneering blood test. This blood test could change the way lung cancer is detected. The study has been published in Applied Spectroscopy and developed in partnership with Keele University, Loughborough University and other leading UK partners. They have come up with a new technique called Fourier Transform Infrared microspectroscopy to find a single cancer cells in blood.
How the New Technique Works
As compared to other methods, this new method is simple and cheaper. It utilizes standard glass slides, makes it easier to adopt in everyday clinical practice. The team has tested the new method using a blood sample from a 77-year old lung cancer patient. They use advanced scanning technology and computer analysis to find even a single cancer cells among thousands of healthy blood cells. This new technique could allow doctors to monitor cancer in real time by using just a simple blood test. The circulating tumor cells can break away from tumor and travel in the bloodstream to find how the disease is progressing and how treatment is working.
Expert Insights on the Innovation
Professor Josep Sulé-Suso, associate specialist in oncology at UHNM and lead author of the study, said: “Our team was able to detect a single lung cancer cell in a patient’s blood by combining advanced infrared scanning technology with computer analysis, focusing on the unique chemical fingerprint of cancer cells. It works using an infrared beam similar to one found in a TV remote control, but more powerful.” “This approach has the potential to help patients receive earlier diagnoses, personalised treatments, and fewer invasive procedures, and it could eventually be applied to many types of cancer beyond lung cancer.”
Next Steps Toward NHS Integration
The team is now working to evaluate this approach at a larger scale with big patient groups. The aim is to develop a rapid and automated blood test to integrate NHS cancer care pathways.
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only. You should always consult with your healthcare professional for any medical needs.
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