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2 mins read
A new genetic sequencing system called ROBIN enables a complete diagnosis of brain tumors in less than 24 hours, drastically reducing traditional waiting times and paving the way for more precise surgical decisions, more timely treatments, and lower risk for patients. This innovation could mark a turning point in the clinical management of over 700,000 people diagnosed each year worldwide.
In a joint effort by scientists from the University of Nottingham and doctors from the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH), an ultrafast method for the genetic diagnosis of brain tumors was developed. A diagnosis that normally takes six to eight weeks was reduced to just two hours, opening the door to new types of therapy.
The research was conducted across 50 brain tumor surgeries, aiming to provide rapid diagnoses during the operation. The test achieved a diagnostic response in under two hours and produced solid tumor classifications within minutes; moreover, it was able to deliver a complete integrated diagnosis within 24 hours. The performance of the new method matched the final integrated diagnosis in 90% of prospective cases.
Currently, the genetic diagnosis of brain tumors requires sending samples to centralized laboratories, a process that can take weeks. This procedure is not only slow and costly, but it also delays the start of treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, affecting the chances of success. The new method, called ROBIN, is based on devices with membranes containing hundreds or thousands of tiny pores, each with an electric current. These devices sequence DNA by detecting changes in the flow of current as individual DNA molecules pass through a nanopore in a membrane. A software developed by the team compares these sequences with databases to quickly identify the tumor subtype.
Although the main goal is to provide the medical team with information so they can discuss the case that same week, the rapid results could also allow the surgeon to change the surgical strategy while the patient is still in the operating room, such as opting for a more aggressive intervention.
Researchers project that reducing wait times will decrease patient anxiety and could prevent second surgeries, minimizing brain damage and associated risks such as seizures. This method represents a significant advancement compared to the lengthy processes that previously required months and multiple laboratories to obtain the complete genome.
Each year, around 740,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with brain tumors, of which approximately half are non-cancerous. Most of these cases require detailed genetic analysis to define the type of tumor and guide treatment. The potential implementation of this ultrafast test in healthcare centers promises more equitable access to accurate and timely diagnoses, improving patient prognosis and quality of life.
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