Early Cancer Screening Test Examines DNA Methylation
Researchers in Singapore from the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology housed at the Biopolis have developed a cancer test kit in collaboration with Hitachi that appears able to detect DNA changes leading to cancer. The cancer screening test relies on detecting DNA methylation, changes in the environment of DNA without changing the DNA sequence directly.
Gastric cancer, for one, was heavily correlated with DNA methylation, lead researcher Masafumi Inoue said. The molecular changes happened before any physical symptoms appeared.
The conventional method of screening for DNA methylation examined only a few genes at a time and was sometimes inaccurate.
The IMCB team with Hitachi had devised a test kit that examined multiple areas at one go. The IMBC counted top Japanese cancer researcher Yoshiaki Ito as its adviser.
Early detection of cancer helps improve prognosis and response to treatment. The American Cancer Society has cancer detection guidelines for breast cancer, colon and rectal cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial (uterine) cancer, and prostate cancer.
smh.com.au, October 17, 2005
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POSTED IN: Genetics of Disease
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