New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) A team of researchers from Singapore has developed a new artificial intelligence (AI)-based method that makes tracking cancer easier and faster-using blood tests.
The method called “Fragle”, developed by a team from the A*STAR Genome Institute of Singapore (A*STAR GIS), requires only a small blood sample, and analyses the size of DNA fragments in the blood to reveal distinct patterns that differentiate cancer DNA from healthy DNA. This can help doctors track cancer treatment responses more accurately and frequently.
“Just as scientists tracked Covid-19 outbreaks by detecting viral particles in wastewater, Fragle analyses DNA fragments in blood to monitor cancer treatment response and detect relapse early,” said lead author Dr. Anders Skanderup, Senior Principal Scientist at A*STAR GIS Laboratory of Computational Cancer Genomics.
Existing methods for measuring cancer DNA in the blood, also known as circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), often require complex and expensive DNA sequencing to screen for common cancer mutations. However, because cancer mutations vary between patients, test results can be inconsistent, making it difficult for doctors to track cancer treatment response with blood tests effectively.
On the other hand, Fragle uses AI to analyse the size of DNA fragments in the blood.
Cancer DNA tends to exhibit different size patterns compared to healthy DNA, and the Fragle AI-model can identify these differences using very small amounts of DNA. As a result, the method allows for faster and more affordable cancer tracking, said the researchers in the paper, published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.
It has also demonstrated high reliability, delivering accurate results across blood samples from hundreds of cancer patients and distinct cancer types. In addition, the method is versatile and compatible with most DNA profiling techniques commonly used in hospitals or offered by commercial providers.
In an ongoing study of more than 100 clinical trial patients, the GIS-NCCS team is using Fragle to monitor ctDNA levels every two months during treatment, with the aim of catching signs of relapse before they appear on routine scans.
The team is also studying whether early changes in ctDNA can identify which patients are likely to have a favourable or poor response to the therapy. The goal of the study is to assess the value of incorporating ctDNA tests in routine monitoring of cancer patients during treatment.
–IANS
rvt/
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by BhaskarLive.in and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of BhaskarLive.in We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, BhaskarLive.in takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
