Fluorescent carbon dots and nanophotonics are being used in a new project aiming to improve diagnosis of brain tumours.
Researchers from the University of Bristol, UK, have received funding of nearly 500,000 UK pounds from Cancer Research UK for the project. They hope the blood test will be affordable, despite using the latest technology.
Project leader, Dr Kathreena Kurian, says: “A simple blood test carried out by GPs would help decision-making and early diagnosis. This would revolutionise care by speeding up diagnosis, reducing costs to the NHS, anxiety of unnecessary scans and reducing the number of patients presenting with inoperable large brain tumours.
“Additionally, this test could be used as an early monitor of brain tumour recurrence. Our work will be followed by a multicentre cohort biomarker study to determine the effectiveness of the test in a real-world setting.”
Co-researcher Dr Sabine Hauert, who specialises in engineering mathematics, added: “Nanoparticles have shown promise in early detection of cancer by fluorescent labelling of very low levels of biomarkers in blood samples and other fluids.”
The team are also working with chemistry experts who will create the fluorescent nanoprobes using low-cost renewables. Various different biomolecules can be attached to these nanoprobes to target specific biomarkers in physiological conditions.
They state that there is an urgent need to discover new blood biomarkers and develop new tests for brain tumours, to allow earlier diagnosis.
One biomarker, already known for its link to brain cancer, is glial fibrillary acidic protein. Glioblastoma in the brain can be detected by measuring tissue samples for GFAP antibodies, as it crosses the blood-brain barrier.
But GFAP levels are too low for detection by routine tests, so additional biomarkers are needed.
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