Chinese researchers claim to have developed a new genetic analysis technology that can quickly detect deadly pancreatic cancer.
The single-cell ‘multiomics’ technology called ‘Uni-C’, developed under the leadership of Professor Lin Da of the Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yang Yuqin, Director of the Laboratory Animal Center of Shanghai General Hospital, is capable of analyzing complete DNA in just 18 hours. The research paper published in Nature Communications states that it provides results as accurate as traditional biopsies and opens up new possibilities for early detection of cancer.
The technology can simultaneously analyze three types of important genetic information—large-scale structural changes, small mutations, and 3-D chromatin structure. The researchers claim that this will facilitate the screening and monitoring of pancreatic cancer and other cancers, and the development of personalized immunotherapy for patients.
The study was conducted using extremely rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs) found in the blood. CTCs are rare “seeds” that spread from tumors into the bloodstream and carry the complete genomic profile of the primary tumor. But their numbers are so low—perhaps just a few cells per milliliter (0.03 ounce) of blood—that a complete analysis has been nearly impossible until now.
Conventional CTC tests provide incomplete information or produce unreliable results. Uni-C is solving this problem with a gentle and efficient process that completes the entire DNA analysis in just 18 hours and greatly reduces the amount of error.
Using just seven CTCs from a mouse model of pancreatic cancer, the team was able to identify about 90 percent of the tiny mutations and three-quarters of the structural changes found in tumor tissue—an accuracy equivalent to that of an invasive biopsy.
This suggests that in the future, blood tests may be able to track tumor progression in real time, eliminating the need for repeated biopsies.
“Since blood samples can be monitored non-invasively … this tool has great potential for tracking treatment response and recurrence in real time,” Lin said in the paper.
Uni-C doesn’t just find cancer—it also helps with treatment.
Based on the data from Uni-C, scientists have created 10 custom-made antigens. In animal tests, five of the antigens activated the body’s immune cells. When used in combination with the common drug chloroquine, the size of tumors was reduced by about half. This advance opens up the possibility of creating a “mass vaccine” to fight cancer for every patient.
“Uni-C is providing technological support for tracking the progression of rare tumor cells, finding treatment targets, and mass treatment,” the Chinese Academy of Sciences said in a report. It is expected to accelerate the transformational application of single-cell multiomics in precision cancer treatment.
The technology also revealed the complete structure of extrachromosomal circular DNA (ecDNA), a key component of cancer, which is involved in rapid tumor growth and drug resistance.
According to the researchers, despite some limitations, ‘Uni-C’ will be able to detect other cancers, analyze DNA-RNA simultaneously, and process cells on a large scale in the future.
Professor Lin Da said, ‘This technology is building a bridge between basic research and medical application. It will help in determining the stage of cell division, identifying disease-causing genes, predicting custom antigens, and providing early treatment for cancer.’
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