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Accounting for genetic factors that cause normal variations in PSA levels may improve the accuracy of prostate cancer detection

A study suggests that accounting for genetic factors causing normal variations in PSA levels could improve the accuracy of prostate cancer detection. By analyzing data from over 95,000 men, researchers identified a polygenic score that accounted for 7.3-8.7% of variation in baseline PSA levels and was not associated with prostate cancer.

Half of all women experience false positive mammograms after 10 years of annual screening

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that half of all women will experience at least one false positive mammogram over a decade of annual breast cancer screening with 3D mammography. The risk of false positives is lower for women screened every other year, and non-dense breasts also show a lower false positive risk.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 25, 2022

City of Hope researcher advises doctors against overreliance on a popular liquid biopsy used to screen for colorectal cancer recurrence

A recent study by City of Hope researchers highlights the limitations of Signatera, a popular liquid biopsy test for detecting colorectal cancer recurrence. The study found that standard-of-care CT scan plus CEA blood draw test was more effective in identifying early disease recurrence.

SourceCity of Hope·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 8, 2022

Follow-up costs can add up if a free cancer screening shows a potential problem

New studies from Michigan Medicine researchers aim to remove financial barriers for patients who receive abnormal test results, enabling them to complete the diagnostic process. The findings suggest that removing cost barriers could save lives by increasing screening uptake, particularly among women and underserved populations.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2022

New assay shows promise for advancing personalized cancer treatment

Researchers have developed a rapid and affordable test to identify specific genetic mutations in cancer cells using SuperSelective PCR primers. This assay can detect rare mutations, enabling targeted therapy and monitoring minimal residual disease. The study demonstrates the potential of this approach for personalized cancer treatment.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2022

Acceleration of cancer biomarker detection for point of care diagnostics

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new approach to detect cancer biomarkers in human serum, reducing the detection time from hours to just one minute. This method uses magnetic-plasmonic nanoparticles and photonic resonator absorption microscopy to achieve high selectivity and rapid sample-to-answer analysis.

New study determines parentage, age, and survival of North Atlantic right whales using genetic testing

A new study published in Mammalian Biology analyzed the life history data of 13 North Atlantic right whales using genetic samples and photo identification. The researchers found that four calves previously thought to be dead survived, revealing a significant variation in calf separation time from mothers and physical development.

SourceNew England Aquarium·JournalMammalian Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 20, 2022

Undescended testis: fate of fertility predicted by blood biomarkers

A recent study published in The Journal of Urology found that serum hormone ratios can predict the risk of future infertility in children with cryptorchidism. Researchers discovered that inhibin B levels and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) are significant markers of spermatogenesis, helping to identify boys at high risk of infertility.

SourceNagoya City University·JournalThe Journal of Urology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 19, 2022

Researchers develop optical biopsy system that detects liver cancer

The new technology can reliably distinguish between cancerous and healthy liver tissue, aiding diagnosis and potentially reducing errors in biopsies. The researchers plan to continue measuring fluorescence lifetime parameters in patients with different types of tumors to generate real-time diagnostic classifiers.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateJan 6, 2022

New analysis approach could increase the number of usable donor kidneys

Researchers developed a new SERS-based multiplexing technique to detect kidney injury biomarkers SLPI and IL-18, achieving high sensitivity and reliability. The approach shows promise for objectively assessing donor kidney quality, potentially reducing discard rates and recipient complications in clinical practice.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2022

Recalled noncalcified lesions: ultrasound vs. ultrasound plus mammography

A prospective study found that ultrasound alone adequately completed the diagnostic evaluation of 71.2% of noncalcified lesions, diagnosed 92.1% of cancers, and yielded a sensitivity of 94.9%. Radiologists should consider performing ultrasound first for digital breast tomosynthesis-recalled noncalcified masses.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 15, 2021

Tumor evolution

Researchers analyzed 140 neuroblastoma samples to understand the genetic changes associated with the disease. They found that mutations can disappear and reappear, occurring in distinct sections or individual cells, making targeted therapy less effective.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 10, 2021

New imaging technology developed by UCLA research team may reduce need for skin biopsies

A new virtual histology technology may reduce the need for invasive skin biopsies, providing a biopsy-free solution for rapid diagnosis of malignant skin tumors. The technology uses deep-learning frameworks to transform images of intact skin into detailed, virtually stained images.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalLight Science & Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 18, 2021

When a free cancer check finds something, could cost keep patients from following up?

New studies show that patients with abnormal screening results may face significant out-of-pocket costs for follow-up tests, potentially delaying care. For women, colposcopy costs rose sharply over 13 years, with some facing bills of nearly $1,000. Lung cancer screening CT scans also led to high costs for invasive procedures.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 1, 2021

For good measure: A virtual ruler estimates the size of colorectal polyps

Researchers developed a method to overlay a virtual scale on acquired endoscope images in real-time, allowing accurate estimation of colorectal polyp sizes. The approach uses triangulation principles and minimal image processing, enabling cost-effective diagnosis without adding extra instrumentation.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Study identifies molecule that stimulates muscle-building in humans

Researchers found that consuming dileucine enhances the metabolic processes driving muscle growth, resulting in a 42% increase in protein synthesis. In contrast, leucine alone showed no significant impact on protein breakdown, highlighting the molecule's potential as a signaling agent for muscle-building pathways.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 9, 2021

Breast cancer screening recalls: simple MRI measurement could avoid 30% of biopsies

A research team from MedUni Vienna has confirmed a threshold value for a non-invasive imaging biomarker in breast cancer screening. This can be incorporated into short standard MRI scans to reduce biopsy rates by 30%. DWI, a special MRI technique, measures the motion of water molecules and can indicate whether a biopsy is necessary.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateMar 1, 2021

'Vanished' or 'hidden' prostate cancer? Men with negative biopsies during active surveillance have good outcomes

A study of 514 men undergoing active surveillance for early-stage prostate cancer found that those with negative biopsies had more favorable clinical characteristics and excellent long-term outcomes. Negative biopsies indicated low-volume disease with lower rates of disease progression, supporting continued active surveillance.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateNov 17, 2020

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle biopsy excellent for small pleural lesions diagnosis

A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle biopsy is highly accurate for diagnosing small pleural lesions with nodular morphology or thickness over 4.5 mm. The procedure yielded a diagnostic accuracy rate of 85.4% and a 96.4% yield rate for nodular CT lesions.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateNov 6, 2020

New 'nanopores' technique offers proof-of-concept of earlier, safer tumor detection

Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have developed a nanopore technique that can detect single-point mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) with high accuracy. The method uses statistical analysis to identify the position of genetic mutations, paving the way for earlier and safer tumor detection.