Faster detection of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, largely due to late diagnosis. Current early detection markers are often too insensitive and nonspecific. However, a new method reported in the journal Angewandte Chemie offers a promising approach by detecting specific anti bodies in blood samples, providing a more accurate diagnostic tool.

Tumors produce proteins known as tumor-associated antigens, which trigger an immune response and lead to the formation of tumor-associated autoantibodies. These antibodies are present in the blood at early stages of cancer, making them valuable for early detection.

An international team, led by researchers from the University of Verona and Spain, developed a diagnostic method that targets autoantibodies against the tumor-associated form of mucin-1(TA-MUC1). This protein is found in elevated concentrations in pancreatic cancer and has a distinct glycosylation pattern compared to its normal form.

The team designed synthetic glycopeptides to mimic TA-MUC1 and used gold nanoparticles to create probes for a serological assay. The diagnostic test, validated with real patient samples, successfully differentiated between cancerous and healthy individuals, showing significantly better accuracy than current biomarkers.

Smaller glycopeptide antigens yielded better results, making them easier to produce synthetically. This innovative structure-based approach could lead to more reliable early detection of pancreatic cancer and improved patient outcomes.