Scientists at the University of Cambridge looking for so-called ‘zombie’ cells that signal early lung cancer have pioneered a world-first urine test that could transform diagnosis and survival through early detection.
The test works by identifying the presence of senescent (zombie) cells in the lungs that stop multiplying but don’t die off when they should. They then release abnormal inflammatory signals that damage surrounding tissue and help create an environment that lowers the body’s ability to fight the cancer.
The research is early stage, pre-clinical laboratory work at the moment with no patient involvement yet, but it is showing great promise.
The clinical part of the research was made possible thanks to our hospital's research tissue bank which supplied lung cancer and interstitial lung disease (ILD) samples.
Consultant respiratory physician, Professor Robert Rintoul, was also involved in the research.
“Tissue banks are so important for supporting research like this,” he said.
"They provide the crucial link between laboratory experiments and initial clinical translation.
“Without tissue banks we would not be able to support this vital research which we now plan to move into a clinical trial.
“Tissue banks often struggle to get funding to operate but work such as this demonstrates their value and key role within the research ecosystem".
You can read more about the study, which was funded by Cancer Research UK, in Nature Aging journal.
Read the full story on the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre website.
Lead photo credit: Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre