On the PulseHighlights on biomedical research 
Blood Test for Brain Tumours Under Development
BY: Benny ChungSep 1, 2022

Glioma is the largest group of intrinsic brain tumours that can lead to life loss of 20 years as a result of late diagnosis and poor outcomes coming after it. Diagnosis and assessment of glioma currently rely on a combination of imaging techniques, histology and molecular profiling. If there could be a blood-based liquid biopsy adopting a minimally invasive way, diagnosis and recurrence monitoring would be easier and more affordable. Previous studies suggested the linkage between the biomarker of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and disease prognosis; serum GFAP levels are associated with prognostic markers and progression-free survival. However, early stages of brain tumour growth usually go undetected, leading to a lack of in vivo data that brings hardship to the development of technique or tool for the purposes. A group of British scientists have developed an in silico model (computer simulation of pharmacologic or physiologic process) to understand current limitations, uses and strategies for blood-based biomarkers for brain tumours. The findings were indicative, such as the adoption of multiple GFAP detection cut-off limits for different tumour severities. To build a more complex and realistic model, better understanding of the processes which govern biomarker transport through brain tumours and into the bloodstream is still needed.

You May Be Interested In
Brukinsa
BY: Jasper ChanSep 1, 2012
Diabetes: A Disease with Gender Bias!
BY: Benny ChungJun 20, 2024