Better detection of cancer: detection of altered sugar in blood and urine should make diagnostics easier

Created: 12/10/2022, 7:00 p.m

By: Natalie Hull Drawbar

Cancer can be detected early with a simple blood and urine test.

Researchers discover certain sugar molecules that are relevant for diagnostics.

Swedish researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, led by Dr.

Francesco Gatto have developed a novel and relatively simple method for the early detection of 14 types of cancer, as reported by

.

This could mean a breakthrough in the diagnosis of diseases such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and kidney cancer.

In their studies, the scientists became aware of specific sugar molecules, so-called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which can be found on both healthy and cancer cells.

What was striking: the sugar molecules change their structure as soon as they sit on a degenerate cell.

This is detectable in blood and urine.

So what does this mean for cancer patients?

Recognize cancer: Recognizing sugar in the blood and urine facilitates diagnostics

Cancer could be detected earlier based on certain sugars in the blood or urine.

(Iconic image) © Vladimir Smirnov/Imago

The study results of the Swedish cancer researchers were presented in the journal "PNAS" and also attracted the attention of German scientists.

It is very exciting to be able to use sugar compounds as a detection method for cancer, says Dr.

Almut Schulze from

.

During the examination as part of the study, in which a total of 1260 healthy people and people with cancer took part, the blood and urine were examined as a so-called liquid biopsy for certain biomarkers.

The advantage: With this method, in contrast to conventional biopsy, no tissue samples have to be taken and analyzed.

This is a great opportunity in diagnostics, especially for types of cancer such as brain and lung tumors, since a needle biopsy is too risky here.

Don't miss anything: You can find everything to do with health in the regular newsletter from our partner 24vita.de.

The scientists were able to determine phase 1 cancer stages in 41.6 percent of cases using the blood sample alone.

After an additional urine sample, the sensitivity of the test results rose to 62.3 percent.

Six out of ten cancer patients could be diagnosed correctly, in four patients the liquid biopsy with blood and urine did not produce any results.

The studies focused on the early detection of the following 14 types of cancer:

• breast cancer

• Cancer of the uterus (endometrial carcinoma)

• cervical cancer

• ovarian cancer

• bladder cancer

• kidney cancer

• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

• colon cancer

• Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (brain tumor)

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

• head and neck cancer

• lung cancer

• prostate cancer

• Endocrine and neuroendocrine tumors

Cancer-causing viruses: These pathogens can cause cancer

View photo gallery

also read

Do you drink too much alcohol?

Nathalie Stüben's five-minute test brings clarity

READ

How long does adult flu last?

READ

Oral cancer is often detected too late: You should react to these warning signs

READ

Pee in the shower?

Better to leave it as a woman – a health expert explains it

READ

Nasal mucus as a health indicator: the color tells you whether you should see a doctor

READ

Fancy a journey of discovery?

My space

Detecting cancer: Tissue biopsy results are safer for diagnostics and patients

The authors of the study emphasize that the analysis of the sugar molecules in the blood and urine is a simple, inexpensive test method that could be well suited for diagnosing numerous patients, so

.

However, further tests would be needed before this method could be used regularly in cancer diagnostics.

Diagnostics based on tissue biopsy have so far been more reliable.

Because chronic diseases could affect the result of a liquid biopsy with blood and urine.

Obesity, high blood pressure and sugar and fat metabolism disorders such as diabetes would also change the structure of the sugar molecules (GAGs).

In the worst case, the consequence would be that patients would be unnecessarily unsettled by a false positive test from the blood and urine biopsy.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.