A
new "lab-on-a-chip" technique can identify women at risk of breast cancer by
taking microscopic amounts of blood and breast tissue in a non-invasive way, say
researchers.
The technique would allow doctors to take very small samples of metabolized
estrogen, a hormone believed to "significantly" increase the risk of breast
cancer, said lead author Dr. Noha Mousa, of the University of Toronto in a press
release.
"Despite this, breast estrogen levels in women at risk are not routinely
measured," said Dr. Mousa, "because conventional techniques require large tissue
samples obtained through invasive biopsies."
Researchers said the "lab-on-a-chip" uses a technology called digital
microfluidics, where minute droplets of fluid are moved electrically on a
microchip and are able to perform multiple lab functions.
The device, so small it can fit in the palm of a hand, allows researchers to
analyze hormones in "tiny clinical samples" of blood, serum and breast cancer
tissue. They then developed methods to extract hormones and purify them.
"The new methods we've developed may someday facilitate routine screening of
clinical samples for analysis of hormones," said Aaron Wheeler, of the
Department of Chemistry. "This may be useful in many applications, including
screening for risk of developing breast cancer especially in high-risk
populations, and monitoring the response to anti-estrogen breast cancer
therapies
such as aromatase inhibitors."
Wheeler said the methods could also be used to monitor hormone levels in
infertility treatments and also in detecting illegal doping in athletes.
The study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the
Canadian Cancer Society. It will be the cover story in the inaugural issue of
Science Translational Medicine.
Source : foodconsumer.org
