The Discovery of New Biomarkers May Help Diagnose Ovarian Cancer at Early Stages, Say Japanese Researchers
Unlocking the secrets of ovarian cancer, a Nagoya University-led study sheds light on three previously unknown membrane proteins.
A group of researchers from Nagoya University in Japan has made a significant breakthrough in ovarian cancer detection. Their study unveiled three previously undiscovered membrane proteins associated with the disease.
By utilizing a unique technology involving nanowires coated with a polyketone substance, the team successfully captured these proteins, presenting a novel method for identifying ovarian cancer.
The identification of new biomarkers holds great importance in the early detection of ovarian cancer, a condition notorious for its challenging diagnosis in its initial stages when it is most treatable. One promising approach to cancer detection is the examination of extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly exosomes, which are small proteins released by tumors.
These proteins can be isolated from bodily fluids like blood, urine, and saliva since they exist outside of cancer cells. However, the lack of reliable biomarkers has impeded the effective detection of ovarian cancer using this method.
Under the leadership of Mr. Akira Yokoi from Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine and Ms. Mayu Ukai from the Institute for Advanced Research, the research group extracted both small and medium/large EVs from high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), the most common type of ovarian cancer. These EVs were then subjected to analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to examine the proteins present.
The research initially encountered challenges during the validation process for the identified proteins. Yokoi explained, “The validation steps for the identified proteins were tough because we had to try a lot of antibodies before we found a good target. As a result, it became clear that the small and medium/large EVs are loaded with clearly different molecules.
He added: “Further investigation revealed that small EVs are more suitable biomarkers than the medium and large type. We identified the membrane proteins FRα, Claudin-3, and TACSTD2 in the small EVs associated with HGSC.”
Having identified these proteins, the group then explored whether they could capture EVs in a manner that would enable the detection of cancer. To achieve this, they collaborated with nanowire specialist Takao Yasui from the Graduate School of Engineering at Nagoya University, who merged his expertise with that of Dr. Inokuma from the Japan Science and Technology Agency.
Together, they developed nanowires coated with polyketone chains (pNWs), which proved ideal for separating exosomes from blood samples.
The process of creating pNWs was “tough,” according to Yokoi.
“We must have tried 3-4 different coatings on the nanowires. Although polyketones are a completely new material to use to coat this type of nanowire, in the end, they were such a good fit.”
Yokoi emphasized the significance of their findings, stating, “Our findings showed that each of the three identified proteins is useful as a biomarker for HGSCs.
“The results of this research suggest that these diagnostic biomarkers can be used as predictive markers for specific therapies. Our results allow doctors to optimize their therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer, therefore, they may be useful for realizing personalized medicine.”
Source: 10.1126/sciadv.ade6958
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