Scientists from the University of Dundee (UK) have developed a unique test to detect the development of melanoma in a blood sample.. Based on this analysis, it will be possible to determine the change in the level of expression of the TFP12 gene in DNA, which will allow diagnosing the disease at an early stage, and in the future - developing new methods of treatment.. The results of the study were presented yesterday at the Cancer Conference of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) in Liverpool..

Melanoma is a malignant tumor that develops from skin pigment cells (melanocytes). This disease is one of the most dangerous human malignant tumors due to frequent relapses and the ability to metastasize to almost all organs.. In addition, melanoma is difficult to detect at the initial stage of development, and in advanced stages of the disease, the ten-year survival rate of patients is no more than 20%..

To date, blood tests are not generally used to diagnose melanoma, but some tests are performed before or during treatment to detect melanoma-specific tumor marker protein S-100 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the blood.. A high level of LDH during metastasis of melanoma to distant organs is often a sign of tumor resistance to treatment, and only. Also, if necessary, a biopsy of the lymph nodes and analysis of the sample by PCR are performed..

By studying the DNA of tumor cells circulating in the bloodstream, scientists found that the TFP12 gene, which normally controls the growth of healthy cells, turned out to be " The results of the study by scientists showed that in the early stages of tumor development, the level of DNA methylation was low, while in the last stages of the disease there was a much higher percentage of modified genome regions..

Such a modification of the nucleic acid molecule is a chemical label that can be determined in the laboratory, on which the mechanism of the new diagnostic test is based..

In addition, the researchers also found that a potential biomarker called NT5E is associated with the spread of an aggressive form of melanoma..

" Treatment of melanoma is most effective at an early stage of the disease, so early diagnosis of the tumor, according to him, will significantly increase the chances of patients to beat the disease..

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