Urine Test Breakthrough: Birmingham Scientists Revolutionize Bladder Cancer Diagnosis
Scientists from the University of Birmingham have developed a groundbreaking method to detect epigenetic changes in urine samples. This new approach, published in Clinical Epigenetics, could revolutionize bladder cancer diagnosis by revealing additional features of tumor DNA.
Unlike current diagnostic tests, this method analyses methylation changes across the entire length of DNA in a urine sample. The team, led by Shen, X., Barbu, M., and Caramaschi, D., has developed artificial intelligence methods to classify patients based on their DNA methylation patterns. This allows for optimal treatment pathways to be determined.
The team's research builds on previous studies that integrated machine learning with DNA methylation profiles for tumor classification. For instance, they used interpretable methods like CLAM and HIPT for glioblastoma and ependymoma samples. Remarkably, the team was able to discriminate cancer from non-cancer patients even with low levels of tumor DNA in the sample.
The new method, which may form the basis of a next-generation diagnostic urine test, could indicate the presence of bladder cancer. By providing more detailed information about tumor DNA, it has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes for patients.
