Positive Health Online

AI-Powered Blood Test First to Spot Earliest Sign of Breast Cancer

A new screening method that combines laser analysis with a type of AI is the first of its kind to identify patients in the earliest stage of breast cancer, a study suggests. The fast, non-invasive technique reveals subtle changes in the bloodstream that occur during the initial phases of the disease, known as stage 1a, which are not detectable with existing tests, the team says. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh say their new method could improve early detection and monitoring of the disease and pave the way for a screening test for multiple forms of cancer.

Standard tests for breast cancer can include a physical examination, x-ray or ultrasound scans or analysis of a sample of breast tissue, known as a biopsy. Existing early detection strategies rely upon screening people based on their age or if they are in at-risk groups. Using the new method, researchers were able to spot breast cancer at the earliest stage by optimising a laser analysis technique – known as Raman spectroscopy – and combining it with machine learning, a form of AI.

Similar approaches have been trialled to screen for other types of cancer, but the earliest they could detect disease was at stage two, the team says. The new technique works by first shining a laser beam into blood plasma taken from patients. The properties of the light after it interacts with the blood are then analysed using a device called a spectrometer to reveal tiny changes in the chemical make-up of cells and tissues, which are early indicators of disease. A machine learning algorithm is then used to interpret the results, identifying similar features and helping to classify samples.

In the pilot study involving 12 samples from breast cancer patients and 12 healthy controls, the technique was 98 per cent effective at identifying breast cancer at stage 1a. The test could also distinguish between each of the four main subtypes of breast cancer with an accuracy of more than 90 per cent, which could enable patients to receive more effective, personalised treatment, the team says. Implementing this as a screening test would help identify more people in the earliest stages of breast cancer and improve the chances of treatment being successful, the team says. They aim to expand the work to involve more participants and include tests for early forms of other cancer types.

The study is published in the Journal of Biophotonics.[1] Blood samples used in the study were provided by the Northern Ireland Biobank and Breast Cancer Now Tissue Bank. It also involved researchers from the University of Aberdeen, the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences and the Graduate School for Applied Research in North Rhine-Westphalia. Dr Andy Downes, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering, who led the study, said: “Most deaths from cancer occur following a late-stage diagnosis after symptoms become apparent, so a future screening test for multiple cancer types could find these at a stage where they can be far more easily treated. Early diagnosis is key to long-term survival, and we finally have the technology required. We just need to apply it to other cancer types and build up a database, before this can be used as a multi-cancer test.”

AI-powered blood test first to spot earliest sign of breast cancer

Reference

1. Kevin Saruni Tipatet, Katie Hanna, Liam Davison-Gates, Mario Kerst, Andrew Downes. Subtype-Specific Detection in Stage Ia Breast Cancer: Integrating Raman Spectroscopy, Machine Learning, and Liquid Biopsy for Personalised Diagnostics. Journal of Biophotonics:  25 November 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbio.202400427

Further Information and Media Contact

University of Edinburgh Press Office <press.office@ed.ac.uk>

Corin Campbell: PR & Media Manager (Science and Engineering)

corin.campbell@ed.ac.uk  Mob: +44(0) 7920 404 319

Scientists Find Key Cells that could be Targeted to Prevent Arthritis Flare-Ups

New research has pinpointed key cells that could be targeted to prevent painful rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups, offering potential new hope to millions of people with the condition world-wide. The important new findings are published in the journal Immunity[1] and highlight the potential to use dendritic cells as early markers to predict a rheumatoid arthritis flare-up, hopefully paving the way for more patients to achieve sustained remission. The study was led by researchers at the University of Glasgow as part of RACE (Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre ‘Versus Arthritis’ a collaboration between the Universities of Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Oxford) along with Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS in Rome.

To carry out the study, the research team examined the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients by analysing their tissue using a novel technique called spatial transcriptomics, which allows for the precise identification of individual cell locations. The researchers discovered a crucial difference in the behaviour of dendritic cells, between people who are likely to experience flare-ups and those who are not. In particular, in patients at risk of flare-ups, dendritic cells were detected in the blood weeks before the recurrence of the disease, suggesting these cells could be used as biomarkers – or potential treatment targets – to help keep people in remission.

The latest figures show that around 450,000 adults in the UK have rheumatoid arthritis, while around 1% of the world’s population are affected. A painful and sometimes debilitating condition, rheumatoid arthritis commonly starts in adults between the ages of 40 and 60 years-old, and is more common in women than men. Although treatments have improved, many people experience painful and unpredictable flare-ups. While for some patients, their arthritis settles even after treatment ends, 50% of patients experience a flare-up within weeks or months after stopping treatment.

Dendritic cells are often described as ‘cell detectives’, or information gatherers, because of their role capturing and processing information from other cells in the body. These key cells are responsible for gathering clues about potential threats and then either activating or suppressing other immune cells, known as T-cells. In patients in remission, without any flare-ups, dendritic cells do the job of suppressing T-cells. By contrast, in active arthritis dendritic appear to cells migrate from the blood to the joints, causing inflammation and joint damage by instructing T-cells to attack.

The researchers hope their findings can pave the way to find new treatments that target dendritic cells in the blood before flare-ups occur, allowing more people with rheumatoid arthritis to remain in remission.

Professor Mariola Kurowska-Stolarska, senior author of the study from the University of Glasgow, said: “Recent advancements in technology allow us to examine tissue at high resolution, identifying specific cell-to-cell interactions that cause pathology. This helps to pinpoint the cause of diseases, such as flare-ups, before they begin.”

Professor Stefano Alivernini, senior co-author of the study from the Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore from Rome, said: “We hope this research is the first step to find new ways to help more arthritis patients and to optimize their management, letting them stay symptom free and remain in remission after their therapeutic journey.”

Dr Caroline Aylott, Head of Research Delivery at Versus Arthritis, said: "Flare-ups are a painful and frequent challenge for those living with rheumatoid arthritis, often with debilitating effects that disrupt daily life. 

"By using this new technology, researchers are able to look in more detail than ever before at the cells responsible for inflammation in the joint. This means we are closer to using these as markers to predict when painful flare-ups will occur, which will help people to manage their rheumatoid arthritis better. 

"This new research, funded by Versus Arthritis along with grants from the Wellcome Trust and the Italian Ministry of Health, represents a promising step towards achieving sustained remission and improving quality of life for people with arthritis.  By supporting ground-breaking studies like this, we are advancing towards a future where arthritis is preventable, manageable, and treatable.”

The study, ‘Distinct Tissue-Niche Localization and Function of Synovial Tissue Myeloid DC Subsets in Health, and in Active and Remission Rheumatoid Arthritis’ is published in Immunity. The work was funded by Versus Arthritis, the Wellcome Trust and Italian Ministry of Health.

Reference

1. MacDonald et al. Synovial tissue myeloid dendritic cell subsets exhibit distinct tissue-niche localization and function in health and rheumatoid arthritis. Immunity: 57(12):2843-2862.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.11.004. Epub 2024 Nov 27.  Dec 10 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39609125/

About Versus Arthritis

Versus Arthritis is the UK’s largest arthritis charity, changing lives through research, campaigning and support. The impact of arthritis can be huge, affecting the ability to work, care for family, move free from pain and live independently. Together with researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, supporters and volunteers, Versus Arthritis works tirelessly to make sure everyone with arthritis has access to the treatments and support they need to live the life they choose, with real hope of a cure in the future. Find out more at: www.versusarthritis.org  X: @VersusArthritis

Further Information and Media Contact

For more information contact Elizabeth McMeekin or Ali Howard in the University of Glasgow Communications and Public Affairs Office on Elizabeth.mcmeekin@glasgow.ac.uk  or ali.howard@glasgow.ac.uk

Astaxanthin may Support Cardiometabolic Health in Firefighters

A recent study examined the effect of AstaReal® Astaxanthin on heart health and performance of first responders.  A recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study conducted at the Texas A&M University in the USA, suggests that supplementation with AstaReal® Astaxanthin may improve markers of cardiometabolic health and tactical performance among firefighters.[1] The results of this pioneering research offer promising insights into the potential of this powerful antioxidant to improve the first responders’ health.

Firefighters endure some of the most physically demanding and hazardous conditions that may lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and premature mortality caused by inflammation and oxidative stress. In the recent study by Dr Gonzalez et al., published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, the impact of supplementation with 12mg AstaReal® Astaxanthin daily for four weeks on inflammation, oxidative stress, cardiometabolic health, exercise capacity and occupation-related performance was evaluated in 15 male firefighters.[1] Participants followed a standardized eight-week strength and conditioning programme throughout the whole study. In addition, before and after each treatment, they performed an incremental maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test, and a fire ground test consisting of nine firefighter occupational tasks. The results showed that astaxanthin supplementation may attenuate the increase in inflammatory response to intense exercise. In fact, less increase in stress hormone cortisol, uric acid and interleukin-1β – a pro-inflammatory marker – was observed in the astaxanthin supplementation phase during fire suppressive activities compared to when the participants ingested a placebo.

Additionally, astaxanthin intake increased the ventilatory anaerobic threshold, suggesting its potential benefits for exercise efficiency. These results show that astaxanthin supplementation helps mediate occupation-related inflammation in response to high-intensity, short-duration exercise in firefighters, and highlight its potential benefits for consumers seeking effective supplements for active nutrition and performance.

AstaReal® Astaxanthin, a natural carotenoid and powerful antioxidant derived from the microalgae Haematoccocus pluvialis, offers valuable protection to both muscles and the cardiovascular system. Astaxanthin may support efficient energy production and its utilisation through reducing oxidative stress and exercise-induced inflammation in the muscles, and protecting mitochondria – the cell’s powerhouses. The recent study underscores the importance of nutritional interventions in supporting the health of individuals in high-risk occupations, and suggests that astaxanthin may be a valuable addition to dietary strategies aimed at enhancing both health outcomes and occupational performance.

Reference

1. Gonzalez DE, Dickerson BL, Johnson SE, Woodruff KE, Leonard M, Yoo C, et al. Impact of astaxanthin supplementation on markers of cardiometabolic health and tactical performance among firefighters. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 21(1):2427751. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2024.2427751. Epub Nov 20 2024. Dec 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39568140/

Media Contact and Further Information

akp Communications" pressrelease@akp-communications.com; 
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New Research: ‘Clark Kent’ of Cells, Secretly Fighting to Protect Us from Viruses

From hard-working newspaper reporter to world-saving superhero, Clark Kent makes the transition to Superman in just a few seconds. Now, scientists have discovered that human cells are home to their own hidden superheroes, secretly helping us to fight off a range of viruses. The latest study, led by the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research in collaboration with the Rosalind Franklin Institute, has uncovered intriguing new insights into how our cells respond to viral infection.

The research, published in the journal Molecular Cell,[1] reveals the surprising behaviour of a group of key proteins that are usually found in the nucleus of our cells. When they join forces with an RNA, called U2, their day job is helping to create new proteins. However, researchers now believe this cellular team may also be responsible for protecting us against viral threats.

New research has shown that this RNA protein team, known as U2 snRNPs, temporarily halts its normal role when a cell is infected. When a virus is detected, the cellular team moves outwards from the nucleus of a cell to an area called the cytoplasm to defend against infection. Surprisingly, the RNA protein team then takes on a new ‘superhero’ role and gathers in areas where the virus is replicating, preventing it from multiplying.

The research team describe the proteins as transforming into to molecular roadblocks, attaching themselves to viruses and stopping them from replicating, ultimately helping to defeat any infection.

Dr Wael Kamel, first author of the study, said: ”The observation that there are other RNA-mediated antiviral cellular mechanisms beyond the famous RNAi is extremely exciting.

Imagine several large stone boulders blocking a road. It would definitely create a problem for the proper circulation of cars. From a molecular perspective, a similar traffic jam would occur when a virus tries to replicate its viral RNA while the U2 snRNP protein group is attached to it."

To carry out the study the team infected cells in the lab with the mosquito-borne viruses such as Sindbis virus, as well as the virus coxsackievirus B3, which comes from the same family of viruses as the common cold and can produces cardiomyopathy in infants. The researchers were able to show that the Protein-RNA team known as the U2 snRNP behaved in the same way with these viruses, suggesting a broad-spectrum antiviral activity.

Professor Alfredo Catello, senior author on the study, said: “We believe that this is an intrinsic mechanism by which cells delay virus infection to allow other antiviral efforts such as the production of interferon to be put in place. We foresee that this antiviral mechanism could be manipulated to explore new therapeutic approaches against viruses”.

The discovery is especially timely, coinciding with the 2024 Nobel Prize for the discovery of miRNA, marking the third Nobel Prize awarded for RNA-guided silencing complexes after those for CRISPR (2020) and RNAi (2006).

By shedding light on these host-virus interactions, the study paves the way for innovative approaches to antiviral therapies and further deepens our understanding of the complex dialogue between viruses and their hosts.

The study ‘Alphavirus Infection Triggers Selective Cytoplasmic Translocation of Nuclear RBPs with Moonlighting Antiviral Roles’ is published in Molecular Cell. The work was funded by the European Research Council and the Medical Research Council (UK).

Research

1. Kamel, Wael et al. Alphavirus infection triggers selective cytoplasmic translocation of nuclear RBPs with moonlighting antiviral roles. Molecular Cell, Volume 84, Issue 24: 4896 - 4911.e7 December 19, 2024. https://www.cell.com/molecular-cell/fulltext/S1097-2765(24)00920-1

Further Information 

For more information contact Elizabeth McMeekin or Ali Howard in the University of Glasgow Communications and Public Affairs Office on Elizabeth.mcmeekin@glasgow.ac.uk  or ali.howard@glasgow.ac.uk