The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer
Research IAP in Potsdam-Golm has developed a
polymer-based rapid test which visually
differentiates tumor cells from healthy cells in a
tissue section through the use of a simple
microscope. Surgeons can already use the test in the
operating room. This saves time and costs.
"In principle, it’s possible to detect the color change using a smart phone or a cheap camera. This is of interest for hospitals that cannot afford expensive diagnostic equipment – such as in developing or emerging countries." Dr. Joachim Storsberg.
Antibodies combat viruses and bacteria. They also
attach themselves to cancer cells – in a typical,
characteristic way. Fraunhofer scientists are using
this property to detect cancer cells in tissue
samples. Such rapid tests can already be applied by
surgeons during operations – within a few minutes
and without expensive equipment.
The tumor glows brightly on the bluish fluorescent
MRI image. The ulcer is localized. With this
information, the surgeon gets to work. Now, he has
to rely on his eyes. The skill lies in not cutting
away too much while still completely removing the
diseased tissue. "Locating tumors accurately in
tissue sections is not easy. It’s easy to
distinguish diseased from healthy tissue at the core
of the cancerous ulcer, but not around the edges:
tumors spread out asymmetrically," says Dr. Joachim
Storsberg of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied
Polymer Research IAP in Potsdam-Golm.
During surgery, a specially-trained professional,
the histologist, examines the excised tissue samples
with high-resolution microscopes. He identifies
characteristic structures of cancer cells and
informs the surgeon of whether or not there are any
ulcers. This can take several days.
The IAP has developed a polymer-based rapid test
which visually differentiates tumor cells from
healthy cells in a tissue section through the use of
a simple microscope. Surgeons can already use the
test in the operating room. This saves time and
costs.
"Studies have shown that receptors sit on tumor
cells, and certain specially-bred antibodies attach
to these receptors: for example, estrogen antibodies
on breast carcinomas. Using this "immunodiagnostic"
method, the surgeon only needs a few minutes to make
sure that all the diseased tissue has been removed,"
Storsberg says, explaining the added value of the
new tests. "Once placed on the tissue sample, the
antibodies search independently for their
counterpart – the receptors which are typical for
them".
After the surgeon has placed the antibody on the
tissue sample, a colored water solution is added,
with which the individual enzymes of the antibody
oxidize. The color of the solution changes: the
tissue sites at which this happens contain diseased
tissue. "The test is quite versatile: different
antibodies can be used or combined depending on the
type of tumor," explains Dr. Storsberg’s colleague,
Dr. Christian Schmidt.
For reasons of reliability, a cross test
characteristically dyes the healthy cells in the
next step. Once neither of the two tests detect any
more tumor cells, the surgeon can conclude the
operation: he has cut out all of the diseased cells.
The scientists are working to make the color
contrasts between healthy and diseased tissue cells
more clearly visible. This work will be promoted in
the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (in German,
the Zentralen Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand - ZIM)
by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs
and Energy.
Cancer costs the EU more than 120 billion euros
According to the German Federal Statistical Office,
25 percent of all the people who died in Germany in
2013 succumbed to cancer. With more than 223,000
deaths, tumors are the second leading cause of death
after cardiovascular diseases. The disease costs the
European Union (EU) a total of 126 billion euros in
2009. That was determined by scientists at the
University of Oxford and King’s College London in
2013.
For more information
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
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