June 3 12:50
Krasnoyarsk scientists have developed a biotest to monitor the condition of patients after treatment for bladder cancer. This was reported at the Krasnoyarsk Scientific Center of the SB RAS.
The method is based on the determination of the protein survivin in urine. Normally, its content is low, but with the development of a tumor process, the level of this protein can increase. If the tumor is removed, the indicator decreases, and if it recurs, it increases again.
The test works on the basis of a bioluminescent immunoassay. A luminous tag is attached to the survivin protein. The more protein in the sample, the brighter the light signal.
“The detection of survivin is accompanied by the emission of blue light. The method we developed is capable of detecting urinary survivin in a diagnostically significant range of concentrations,” said Nikita Panamarev, junior researcher at the Institute of Biophysics SB RAS.
According to the scientists, the analysis was able to distinguish between groups of sick and healthy patients with a specificity of up to 97%. The test turned out to be especially revealing in more aggressive forms of the tumor, when the concentration of survivin is related to the stage and size of the tumor.
Experts also tested whether the method could be used to monitor patients after treatment. It turned out that after tumor removal, the content of survivin in the urine usually decreases, and during relapse it increases again. Scientists note that such an analysis can help monitor the condition of patients without constant invasive procedures.
However, the test cannot yet be the only diagnostic method, especially in the early stages of the disease. All reagents for developing the test are produced in Russia. After the necessary certification procedures, the technique may become available to clinic laboratories.
The study was carried out by specialists from the Krasnoyarsk Scientific Center SB RAS together with colleagues from Krasnoyarsk State Medical University and oncologists from the Krasnoyarsk Regional Oncology Center. The results were published in the journal Oncology Issues.
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