A new ultra-rapid genetic test is revolutionizing brain tumor diagnosis, providing faster and more accurate results, ultimately leading to quicker treatment and improved patient outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) have developed a method that slashes the time required for brain tumor genetic diagnosis from weeks to just hours. This breakthrough utilizes Oxford Nanopore Technologies portable sequencing devices and a software tool called ROBIN to analyze tumor DNA with unprecedented speed.
The new method sequences DNA by detecting changes in current flow as single molecules pass through tiny holes in a membrane. Professor Matt Loose explains that this allows them to "choose the bits of DNA that we need to look at in order to answer specific questions." The focus is on methylation, which defines the tumor type.
In a trial involving 50 brain tumor surgeries at NUH, the approach achieved a 100% success rate. It provided diagnostic results in under two hours from surgery and detailed tumor classifications within 24 hours. Dr. Simon Paine, a Consultant Neuropathologist at NUH, calls the method a "game changer" due to its speed and accuracy.
The rapid diagnosis not only reduces patient anxiety but also accelerates the start of treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The test is also more cost-effective, estimated at around £450 per person. This innovative approach promises to transform brain tumor care by providing timely and precise information for treatment decisions, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.