A new metabolic assay will help diagnose pancreatic cancer in the early stages, thereby improving the prognosis.

About the invention of a new diagnostic test, Japanese scientists reported in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention, the publication of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

Preliminary studies have shown the high efficiency of the new method.

Dr. Masaru Yeshida, professor and head of the Department of Metabolic Research at the School of Medicine at Kobe University, explained: "Surgical removal of the tumor is the main treatment option for pancreatic cancer, but more than 80% of patients with stage III or IV cancer can no longer be cured at the time diagnosis.

Traditional tests, including blood tests, tomography and endoscopy, are not suitable for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, so the new method will be very useful ".

The study included patients with pancreatic cancer, patients with chronic pancreatitis and healthy volunteers. Experts measured the level of metabolites in their blood, using mass spectrometry and gas chromatography.

43 patients with pancreatic cancer and 42 healthy volunteers were included in the study group to participate in the study. The confirmation group included 42 patients with cancer and 41 healthy participants.

The metabolic data obtained in the training group helped the researchers to identify 18 major metabolites, whose level in pancreatic cancer differed sharply from the level in healthy participants. Further work led to the creation of a specific test, which aims to identify 4 major metabolites.

In the training group, the new method showed a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 88.1%. In the confirmation group, which also included individuals with chronic pancreatitis, the sensitivity of the method was 71.4%, and the specificity of 78.1%.

Professor Yoshida concluded: "Our diagnostic approach using metabolomics showed more accuracy than traditional tests for cancer markers, especially when examining patients in a cohort that included patients with chronic pancreatitis".

The new method is safe, simple and suitable for use as a mass screening test for pancreatic cancer. Japanese scientists are puffed up that this method will help to identify the disease in the early stages and improve the prognosis.

In 2013, this is not the first breakthrough in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. In January, American scientists reported the creation of an innovative drug Abraxane, which increases the survival rate of pancreatic cancer patients.

medbe. en.

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