New diagnostic method for detection of early-stage pancreatic cancer

Bank of Biological Materials at Masaryk Memorial Cancer institute (BBM MMCI) significantly contributed to the research focused on the development of a new sensitive diagnostic method for the detection of early-stage pancreatic cancer. BBM MMCI, as a coordinator of a National Biobanking Network called BBMRI.cz, supplied the vast majority of the clinical samples analyzed in this research. The team led by professor Holcapek from University of Pardubice confirmed that using this method based on the analysis of lipid spectrum in blood serum, pancreatic cancer can be detected in early, usually non-symptomatic stages (up to 90% of sensitivity, using mass spectrometry). Pancreatic cancer is mostly diagnosed at the late stage, which makes it a cancer with one of the worst prognosis, with strikingly low survival rate of only 7-9%. Hopefully, this new revolutionary method will improve the management of the patients with this type of cancer and extend their follow up.

For more information you can access the article recently published in Nature communications. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-27765-9.