Researchers Develop Test that Detects Breast Cancer from Urine Samples

Researchers have developed a test that can detect the presence of breast cancer from urine samples.  A clinical study to prove the test's efficacy is currently underway.

The test detects the presence of certain metabolites called pteredines in urine samples. Now, these metabolites are present in healthy individuals as well, but their levels are much higher when a person has cancer. Dr. Yinfa Ma, Curators' Teaching Professor of chemistry at Missouri S&T, used a P-scan to detect the levels of pteredines. The test is non-invasive and can detect the presence of cancer before a mammogram.

The P-scan has a capillary that passes a small amount of urine in the device. The device then separates the different pteredine molecules and passes the sample through a light source. The level of pteridines in the sample is measured via a spectrophotometer. Pteridines are metabolites that are produced by all humans.

"Cancer cells grow much faster than normal cells. So they release more waste into the urine and we begin to see a rise in the metabolite levels," Ma explained.

According to estimates by the National Cancer Institute, 232,340 new cases of female breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2013 in the U.S and nearly 40,000 women will die due to breast cancer.

Ma's current study has shown that the non-invasive technique works efficiently to detect the presence of cancer. However, a lot of research is required to get the device available to detect cancer in a clinical setting.

Ma began the study on the device in April with Mercy Breast Center and commercialization partner Emergence BioScreening of St. Louis. The study has about 300 people who have breast cancer and another 100 people who don't have any cancer. The study is likely to be completed by the end of this year.

"Mammogram technology is not sensitive," Ma said in a press release. "Some early cancer cannot be detected by a mammogram. If this P-Scan technology works, it will be much easier to incorporate into regular physical screening. A patient donates urine and 10 minutes later I have a result. If this works, it will be an amazing diagnostic tool."

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in women in the U.S. Despite its high prevalence, researchers aren't sure why normal breast cells turn cancerous. According to most experts, breast cancer is caused by a combination of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors.

Ma hopes to find biomarkers for other types of cancers as well, which could lead to early diagnosis and better treatment.