Early Cancer Detection Test: Synthetic Biomarkers

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Synthetic Biomarkers for Early Cancer Detection

Synthetic Biomarkers are an Emerging technology for the development of early cancer detection. This technology includes the administration of exogenous drugs to assess biological function in vivo and has a long clinical history.

How do synthetic biomarkers work in early cancer detection?

Synthetic biomarkers are sensors and small-molecule probes activated by certain enzymes in the tumour or its microenvironment to amplify the tumour’s molecular mechanisms. Thus, they indicate very advanced stages of tumour activity in the body. This is achieved by reducing the required limit of detection to unprecedented levels, facilitating early diagnosis and intervention for improved patient outcomes.

This helps doctors identify diseases such as cancers at a very early stage and treat them accordingly.

Synthetic biomarkers of protease activation include peptide substrates bound to the surface of a carrier substance that releases a reporter chemical agent for detection in blood or urine after being attached to a tumour protease. This results in molecular signal amplification, which is then detected by the scanners and other tests. The most commonly detected cancers using this process are Liver Cancers, Prostate cancers and Breast Cancers.

As the diagnostic technology, which is currently mostly in the developmental phase, moves towards actual human testing, the components that are used for synthetic biomarkers are under clinical testing for larger safety records for a larger range of tests. This is currently limited to select cancers only.

Comparison with traditional diagnostic methods:

Comparison with traditional diagnostic methods reveals several advantages of synthetic biomarkers:

Sensitivity: Synthetic biomarkers often offer higher sensitivity compared to traditional methods, enabling the detection of tumours at earlier stages.
Specificity: They can target specific molecular mechanisms associated with tumours, reducing the likelihood of false-positive results.
Non-invasiveness: Unlike invasive procedures like biopsies, synthetic biomarker detection methods are often minimally invasive or non-invasive.
Speed: Synthetic biomarker assays typically provide faster results, allowing for quicker diagnosis and treatment initiation.
Cost-effectiveness: In some cases, synthetic biomarker testing may be more cost-effective than traditional diagnostic techniques, particularly when considering the potential for early detection and prevention of disease progression.

Types of cancers where synthetic biomarkers are utilized

Synthetic biomarkers find applications across various types of cancers, including but not limited to:

Breast Cancer: Synthetic biomarkers aid in the early detection and monitoring of breast cancer progression, offering insights into tumour activity and response to treatment.
Prostate Cancer: They enable the identification of prostate-specific molecular signatures, facilitating personalized treatment strategies and disease monitoring.
Lung Cancer: Synthetic biomarkers assist in the detection of lung cancer biomarkers in blood or tissue samples, enhancing early diagnosis and prognosis prediction.
Colorectal Cancer: They play a crucial role in identifying genetic mutations and molecular alterations associated with colorectal cancer, guiding treatment selection and monitoring treatment response.
Ovarian Cancer: Synthetic biomarkers offer promise in detecting ovarian cancer at early stages when treatment is most effective, improving patient outcomes and survival rates.
Pancreatic Cancer: They contribute to the identification of specific molecular markers indicative of pancreatic cancer, aiding in early diagnosis and treatment decision-making.
Skin Cancer: Synthetic biomarkers help identify molecular signatures associated with different types of skin cancer, assisting in accurate diagnosis and prognosis assessment.