A groundbreaking urine test for detecting lung cancer could potentially be introduced within the NHS in just five years, according to experts. The test under development can identify “zombie cells” that signal the early stages of cancer, often long before symptoms appear. This innovative approach, tested by Cambridge University and Royal Papworth Hospital on human urine samples, aims to address the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the UK.
Lung cancer, responsible for approximately 33,000 deaths annually in the UK, poses a significant challenge due to most cases being diagnosed at advanced stages, hindering effective treatment.
Professor Ljiljana Fruk, from the University of Cambridge, expressed optimism about the test’s future implementation within the NHS, foreseeing it making a tangible impact on individuals at risk of this devastating disease within the next five years.
By leveraging large human genetic datasets, scientists have explored senescent cells associated with lung cancer development. Referred to as “zombie cells,” these damaged cells cease division permanently but persist in tissues, evading the immune system and releasing harmful substances that induce inflammation and harm neighboring healthy cells.
Researchers from Cambridge identified a specific protein produced by zombie cells and devised a “sensor” that, upon injection, interacts with the protein to release a detectable compound in urine, indicating the cells’ presence.
The potential of this technology was emphasized by Patrick Keely, a spokesperson for Cancer Research UK, who highlighted the era of transformative research and the significance of this novel urine test for early lung cancer detection.
In a report published in the journal Nature Ageing, researchers detailed the validation of the biomarker in human tissue using real patient samples. The urine sensor shows promise not only for detecting lung cancer but also for identifying other cancers or lung conditions like pulmonary fibrosis.
Professor Fruk mentioned ongoing efforts to adapt the probe for detecting lung fibrosis and fundraising initiatives to extend its application to various cancer types.
Professor Daniel Munoz-Espin, co-lead for the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre Thoracic Cancer Programme, underscored the potential of the urine nano sensor in primary care settings to detect therapy resistance and early lung cancer development, offering new possibilities for clinical intervention.