Scientists have developed a rapid test that uses genetic tools to diagnose brain tumors. This method can reduce the diagnostic process from six to eight weeks down to about two hours. This could be a major breakthrough for patients who have to wait weeks or even months for answers to serious questions. Some of these patients are carrying brain cancers that have survival rates under one year, so their time is very precious. The findings have been reported in Neuro-Oncology.
Brain tumors are typically identified with an MRI, but more work has to be done to ascertain what type of tumor it is. This information is especially important so that the proper treatment can be applied.
Clinicians and scientists can use complex genetic tests to diagnose the exact type of brain tumor a person may have. Surgeries are performed that aim to remove parts of the brain tumor so its genetic material can be assessed to reveal the tumor type. But the time spent waiting to learn more about the tumor could be spent treating the it instead.
The process has been advanced in recent years with nanopore sequencing technology, which zeroes in on the relevant sequences to accelerate the process. Nanopore sequencing passes DNA molecules through a small hole, and detects minute changes in current as the DNA moves through the hole, which can reveal small changes in sequences, which can reveal the type of tumor the cell came from.
The scientists validated the method in fifty cases iin which tumor samples had been collected during surgery. This work showed that this method, which relies on a software tool called ROBIN, could accurately diagnose the type of brain tumor 100% of the time.
“This new method now allows us to choose the bits of DNA that we need to look at in order to answer specific questions, such as what type of tumour and how can it be treated. Combined with our later research where we were able to look at relevant parts of the human genome more quickly; then we now have a process where we can use ROBIN to create comprehensive classifications of tumours more quickly," said Professor Matt Loose of the University of Nottingham.
“This new method of diagnosing brain tumors is going to be a game changer, it really is revolutionary. It not only increases the speed at which the results will be available, but the degree of accuracy of the diagnosis as well is incredible," added Dr. Simon Paine, a Consultant Neuropathologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH).
This method is also cheaper than current techniques.
More work will be needed before it is rolled out on a wide scale, but the researchers noted that these findings have paved the way for clinical trials.
Sources: University of Nottingham, Neuro-Oncology