New Jersey [US], August 12 (ANI): Mostly because it is discovered much later in life, pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest types of the disease. For screens aimed at early detection, the current markers are too ambiguous and insensitive. Now, a study team has published a novel technique in the journal Angewandte Chemie that may result in a diagnosis that is far more exact and trustworthy.
The methodology relies on the targeted identification of particular antibodies within blood specimens. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of the disease, mostly because it is detected significantly later in life. The present markers are overly sensitive and confusing for screenings intended for early detection.
Recently, a research team released a unique technique in the journal Angewandte Chemie that could lead to a diagnostic that is much more reliable and accurate. The technology is predicated on the specific identification of antibodies present in blood sample. They chose to use autoantibodies directed against the tumor-associated form of mucin-1 (TA-MUC1).
Mucin-1 is a heavily glycosylated protein (a protein with sugar components) that occurs, for example, in glandular tissue. In many types of tumors, including pancreatic cancer, it is found in significantly elevated concentrations. In addition, the pattern of glycosylation is different from the normal form.
The team’s goal was to detect autoantibodies that are directed specifically against TA-MUC1 and are a clear in.