scholarly journals Nanotechnology in cancer diagnosis: progress, challenges and opportunities

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Zhang ◽  
Maoyu Li ◽  
Xiaomei Gao ◽  
Yongheng Chen ◽  
Ting Liu

AbstractIn the fight against cancer, early detection is a key factor for successful treatment. However, the detection of cancer in the early stage has been hindered by the intrinsic limits of conventional cancer diagnostic methods. Nanotechnology provides high sensitivity, specificity, and multiplexed measurement capacity and has therefore been investigated for the detection of extracellular cancer biomarkers and cancer cells, as well as for in vivo imaging. This review summarizes the latest developments in nanotechnology applications for cancer diagnosis. In addition, the challenges in the translation of nanotechnology-based diagnostic methods into clinical applications are discussed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-hong Mao ◽  
Qiang Ye ◽  
Guo-bing Zhang ◽  
Jin-ying Jiang ◽  
Hong-ying Zhao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Aberrant DNA methylation is significantly associated with breast cancer. Methods In this study, we aimed to determine novel methylation biomarkers using a bioinformatics analysis approach that could have clinical value for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Firstly, differentially methylated DNA patterns were detected in breast cancer samples by comparing publicly available datasets (GSE72245 and GSE88883). Methylation levels in 7 selected methylation biomarkers were also estimated using the online tool UALCAN. Next, we evaluated the diagnostic value of these selected biomarkers in two independent cohorts, as well as in two mixed cohorts, through ROC curve analysis. Finally, prognostic value of the selected methylation biomarkers was evaluated breast cancer by the Kaplan-Meier plot analysis. Results In this study, a total of 23 significant differentially methylated sites, corresponding to 9 different genes, were identified in breast cancer datasets. Among the 9 identified genes, ADCY4, CPXM1, DNM3, GNG4, MAST1, mir129-2, PRDM14, and ZNF177 were hypermethylated. Importantly, individual value of each selected methylation gene was greater than 0.9, whereas predictive value for all genes combined was 0.9998. We also found the AUC for the combined signature of 7 genes (ADCY4, CPXM1, DNM3, GNG4, MAST1, PRDM14, ZNF177) was 0.9998 [95% CI 0.9994–1], and the AUC for the combined signature of 3 genes (MAST1, PRDM14, and ZNF177) was 0.9991 [95% CI 0.9976–1]. Results from additional validation analyses showed that MAST1, PRDM14, and ZNF177 had high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for breast cancer diagnosis. Lastly, patient survival analysis revealed that high expression of ADCY4, CPXM1, DNM3, PRDM14, PRKCB, and ZNF177 were significantly associated with better overall survival. Conclusions Methylation pattern of MAST1, PRDM14, and ZNF177 may represent new diagnostic biomarkers for breast cancer, while methylation of ADCY4, CPXM1, DNM3, PRDM14, PRKCB, and ZNF177 may hold prognostic potential for breast cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 3474-3478
Author(s):  
Swati Garg

In India, vaginal tuberculosis (FGTB) is a common cause of infertility, but diagnosis is difficult because of the form of the disease of people in need. Traditional diagnostic methods include the detection of rapid bacilli acid in endometrial or peritoneal biopsy, epithelioid granuloma biopsy, or a positive Expert type in biopsy, although this is only available in a small percentage of cases, leaving patients many are not available. Diagnosis of GTB by PCR along with histopathological findings leads to high sensitivity and specificity. So, both diagnostic and operative laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are the modalities essential for management of genital TB in infertile women. This review discusses various diagnostic modalities including endometrial or peritoneal biopsy to detect epithelioid granuloma on microscopy, role of PCR for GTB and correlation of two for early diagnosis of genital tuberculosis so that management will be started at early stage which can prevent patient from getting permanent damage to organs. Tuberculosis being endemic in counties likes India; it is often a leading cause of infertility. Early diagnosis is crucial because, by the time patient reports with infertility, already the damage has started and reverting tubal patency is almost impossible. Early diagnosis typically fails in developing countries, primarily because there are no pathognomonic signs of the disease and either poor sensitivity or procedurally invasive diagnostic methods are in use.


2019 ◽  
Vol 07 (08) ◽  
pp. E1002-E1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Raina Angeli Abad ◽  
Haruhiro Inoue ◽  
Haruo Ikeda ◽  
Anastassios Manolakis ◽  
Enrique Rodriguez de Santiago ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and study aims Fourth-generation endocytoscopy is an ultra-high magnification endoscopic technique designed to provide excellent quality in vivo histologic assessment of gastrointestinal lesions. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of endocytoscopy in early gastric cancer diagnosis. Patients and methods A single-center, retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from all gastric endocytoscopic examinations was conducted. Two expert endoscopists, blinded to white-light and narrow-band imaging findings as well as histopathologic diagnosis, independently reviewed and diagnosed all endocytoscopic images. A newly recognized “enlarged nuclear sign” was detected, and its implication in early gastric cancer diagnosis was evaluated. The diagnostic performance of fourth-generation endocytoscopy was assessed while using the gold standard histopathology as a reference. Results Forty-three patients (mean age±SD, 72.6 ± 12.1 years; 31 males) were enrolled. Based on histopathology, 23 had well-differentiated adenocarcinomas, four adenomas, and 16 non-neoplastic lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of fourth-generation endocytoscopy for gastric cancer diagnosis were 87.0 % (95 % CI: 67.9 – 95.5), 80.0 % (95 % CI: 58.4 – 91.9), and 83.7 % (95 % CI: 70.0 – 91.9) by endoscopist A; and 91.3 % (95 % CI: 73.2 – 97.6), 75.0 % (95 % CI: 53.1 – 88.8), and 83.7 % (95 % CI: 70.0 – 91.9) by endoscopist B. The inter-observer agreement, Kappa statistic = 0.71 (95 % CI: 0.50 – 0.93), was good. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the enlarged nuclear sign for early gastric cancer diagnosis were 87.0 % (95 % CI: 67.9 – 95.5), 95.0 % (95 % CI: 76.4 – 99.1), and 90.7 % (95 % CI: 78.4 – 96.3) by endoscopist A; and 82.6 % (95 % CI: 62.9 – 93.0), 85.0 % (95 % CI: 64.0 – 94.8), and 83.7 % (95 % CI: 70.0 – 91.9) by endoscopist B. The inter-observer agreement, Kappa statistic = 0.68 (95 % CI: 0.51 – 0.89) was good. Conclusion: Fourth-generation endocytoscopy appears to aid in the diagnosis of early gastric cancer, particularly well-differentiated adenocarcinomas, due to its good diagnostic accuracy and identification of the “enlarged nuclear sign,” and deserves further evaluation in future studies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1027-1038
Author(s):  
Wenhui Huang ◽  
Kun Wang ◽  
Yu An ◽  
Hui Meng ◽  
Yuan Gao ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Accurate evaluation of hypoxia is particularly important in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) undergoing radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to propose a novel imaging strategy for quantitative three-dimensional (3D) evaluation of hypoxia in a small animal model of NPC. Methods A carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX)-specific molecular probe (CAIX-800) was developed for imaging of hypoxia. Mouse models of subcutaneous, orthotopic, and spontaneous lymph node metastasis from NPC (5 mice per group) were established to assess the imaging strategy. A multi-modality imaging method that consisted of a hybrid combination of fluorescence molecular tomography-computed tomography (FMT-CT) and multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) was used for 3D quantitative evaluation of tumour hypoxia. Magnetic resonance imaging, histological examination, and immunohistochemical analysis were used as references for comparison and validation. Results In the early stage of NPC (2 weeks after implantation), FMT-CT enabled precise 3D localisation of the hypoxia biomarker with high sensitivity. At the advanced stage (6 weeks after implantation), MSOT allowed multispectral analysis of the biomarker and haemoglobin molecules with high resolution. The combination of high sensitivity and high resolution from FMT-CT and MSOT could not only detect hypoxia in small-sized NPCs but also visualise the heterogeneity of hypoxia in 3D. Conclusions Integration of FMT-CT and MSOT could allow comprehensive and quantifiable evaluation of hypoxia in NPC. These findings may potentially benefit patients with NPC undergoing radiotherapy in the future.


Author(s):  
Hemant Deshpande ◽  
Umesh Sabale ◽  
C. S. Madkar ◽  
Anuja Bobe

Background: To determine the efficacy of an immunoassay to measure levels of placental alpha-microglobulin-1 in cervico-vaginal secretions.Methods: 100 ANC cases admitted in Dr D. Y. Patil Hospital with symptoms of rupture of membranes during study period. Inclusion criteria-Pregnant women who presented with symptoms of ROM either in labour or not in labour, gestational age from 28 weeks onwards and who have given consent.Results: In 9 cases, the immunoassay test was negative, in 91 cases, it was positive and in one case, the liquor had a lot of meconium, the woman had to undergo an emergency cesarean section. This patient was deemed to have a false negative result by the test. Pooling was positive in 87 cases, nitrazine test in 86 cases and ferning in 88 cases. Hence, in comparison to immunoassay test which had 100% specificity and 98.91% sensitivity due to incomplete evaluation, nitrazine test had 95.58% sensitivity and 100% specificity, Pooling has 97.79% sensitivity and 100% specificity, whereas ferning has 98.34% sensitivity and 100% specificity.Conclusions: The PAMG1 is a non-invasive, rapid, one step test with very high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy as compared to the conventional methods together and also individually. Preforming this test instead of conventional methods can aid the early detection of rupture of membranes and largely affect the outcome of maternal and fetal health as timely decision can be taken once diagnosis is confirmed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gheorghe Hundorfean ◽  
Mircea T Chiriac ◽  
Sidonia Mihai ◽  
Arndt Hartmann ◽  
Jonas Mudter ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Endoscopic monitoring is fundamental for evaluating the therapeutic response in IBD, but a validated endomicroscopic mucosal healing (MH) score is not available to date. However, confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) might define MH more precisely than conventional endoscopy. The major aim was to establish and validate an MH score for ulcerative colitis (UC), based on CLE. Methods In an initial pilot study (n = 10), various CLE changes were analyzed for identification of reproducible criteria for establishing a CLE score. Four reproducible CLE criteria were implemented in a following validation study. Subsequently, active UC patients (n = 23, Mayo score ≥6) were prospectively included and underwent colonoscopy with CLE before and after 3 anti-TNF applications. Patients were clinically followed over a period of 3 years. The endomicroscopic MH score (eMHs; range, 0–4) was compared with histopathology and endoscopy scores from the same colonic location. Results The eMHs showed high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values (100% with 95% confidence interval [CI] of 15.81%–100%; 93.75% with 95% CI of 69.77%–99.84%, and 94.44%, respectively). The eMHs showed a good correlation with the histological Gupta score (rs = 0.82, P < 0.0001) and the endoscopic Mayo subscore (rs = 0.81%, P < 0.0001). Sixty percent of therapy responders presented an eMHs <1, which translated into long-lasting clinical remission and reduced hospitalization, steroid, and surgery need. Conclusions CLE can accurately assess MH based on the newly developed and statistically validated eMHs in UC, and it is superior in predicting the long-lasting clinical outcome based on both descriptive and functional barrier imaging (NCT01417728).


2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 345-348
Author(s):  
Z. Y. Zhang ◽  
Y. L. Zhao ◽  
Z. F. Chai

Abstract With the rapid development of nanotechnology and its applications, a wide variety of nanomaterials are now used in commodities, pharmaceutics, cosmetics, biomedical products, and industries. The potential interactions of nanomaterials with living systems and the environment have attracted increasing attention from the public, as well as from manufacturers of nanomaterial-based products, academic researchers and policymakers. It is important to consider the environmental, health and safety aspects at an early stage of nanomaterial development and application in order to more effectively identify and manage potential human and environmental health impacts from nanomaterial exposure. This will require research in a range of areas, including detection and characterization, environmental fate and transport, ecotoxicolgy and toxicology. Nuclear analytical techniques (NATs) can play an important role in such studies due to their intrinsic merits such as high sensitivity, good accuracy, high space resolution, ability to distinguish the endogenous or exogenous sources of materials, and ability of in situ and in vivo analysis. In this paper, the applications of NATs in nanotoxicological and nanoecotoxicological studies are outlined, and some recent results obtained in our laboratory are reported.


2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (12) ◽  
pp. 992-997
Author(s):  
Zorica Lepsanovic ◽  
Dejana Savic ◽  
Branka Tomanovic

Background/Aim. Traditional methods for detection of mycobacteria, such as microscopic examination for the presence of acid-fast bacilli and isolation of the organism by culture, have either a low sensitivity and/or specificity, or take weeks before a definite result is available. Molecular methods, especially those based on nucleic acid amplification, are rapid diagnostic methods which combine high sensitivity and high specificity. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of the Cobas Amplicor Mycobacterium tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction (CAPCR) assay in detecting the tuberculosis cause in respiratory and nonrespiratory specimens (compared to culture). Methods. Specimens were decontaminated by the N-acetyl-L-cystein- NaOH method. A 500 ?L aliquot of the processed specimen were used for inoculation of L?wenstein-Jensen (L-J) slants, a drop for acid-fast staining, and 100 ?L for PCR. The Cobas Amplicor PCR was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results. A total of 110 respiratory and 355 nonrespiratory specimens were investigated. After resolving discrepancies by reviewing medical history, overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for CA-PCR assay compared to culture, were 83%, 100%, 100%, and 96.8%, respectively. In comparison, they were 50%, 99.7%, 87.5%, and 98%, respectively, for the nonrespiratory specimens. The inhibition rate was 2.8% for respiratory, and 7.6% for nonrespiratory specimens. Conclusion. CA-PCR is a reliable assay that enables specialists to start treatment promptly on a positive test result. Lower value for specificity in a group of nonrespiratory specimens is a consequence of an extremely small number of mycobacteria in some of them.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Noah P. Svoboda ◽  
Abas Sabouni

This article describes the development of a method for a biocompatible sensor device for the intent of in-vivo breast tissue dielectric properties measurements. This article focuses on a specific type of sensor that utilizes an LC circuit with an inter-digital capacitor (IDC) with small size and high sensitivity for early stage breast cancer detection. To meet this objective an IDC was optimized in terms of contrast and miniaturized size via simulation techniques. For experimental testing, a scaled-up prototype inter-digital capacitor and spiral square inductor sensor was fabricated, and tested with known media, such as distilled water and glycerol. The results suggest that there is a need for further development, such as fabrication and testing for the biocompatible, miniaturized sensor for breast tissue application.


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