Cambridge scientists have developed a urine test for early detection of lung cancer. The test, the first of its kind, detects 'zombie' cells that could indicate the first signs of the disease.
Researchers hope that early detection, through the simple urine test, could enable earlier treatment interventions, significantly improving patient outcomes and prognosis.
Researchers in the laboratory of Daniel Munoz-Espin, Group Leader at Cambridge University's Early Cancer Institute, have been working closely with Professor Ljiljana Fruk and her research group at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CEB). Their innovative approach focuses on identifying 'zombie' cell proteins – markers of tissue changes that often occur long before cancer becomes visible through scans or physical symptoms.
To create the test, scientists looked at proteins excreted by the senescent 'zombie' cells which are alive but unable to grow and divide. It's these cells that cause tissue damage by reprogramming their immediate environment to help promote the emergence of cancer cells. The researchers have developed an injectable sensor that interacts with zombie cell proteins and releases an easily detectable compound into urine, signalling their presence.
Professor Fruk's PhD student – and Gates scholar – Muhamad Hartono, in collaboration with Dr Daniel Munoz-Espin, developed the molecular probe that homes in on a specific protein associated with these damaged cells. The probe is injected into the body, where it interacts with the protein, releasing a small compound into the urine. Once the urine is collected, a silver-based solution reveals whether the protein is present, with a visible colour change confirming the result.
"Early detection of cancer requires cost-effective tools and strategies that enable detection to happen quickly and accurately," said Professor Fruk. "We designed a test based on peptide-cleaving proteins, which are found at higher levels in the presence of zombie cells, and in turn appear in the early stages of cancer. Ultimately, we want to develop a urine test that could help doctors identify signs of the early stages of cancer – potentially months or even years before noticeable symptoms appear."
Traditional imaging techniques used for early cancer detection, such as CT scans, are expensive and often inaccessible, especially in lower-income regions. By contrast, this urine test could be performed in any hospital laboratory without the need for high-end equipment. "We urgently need affordable, simple methods to detect cancer early, particularly for high-risk groups," says Professor Fruk. "This test could be a game-changer for detecting lung cancer, and we’re already exploring how it could be adapted for other cancers."
With the research funded by Cancer Research UK, the project is part of the organisation’s long-standing commitment to improving outcomes for cancer patients. The research paper will be published in December 2024.