Researchers identified blood-based biomarkers that can tell inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) apart from other breast cancer types. The team used a new RNA sequencing method to study blood, cells and plasma.
Because tumor tissue is hard to obtain, blood markers could make diagnosis and monitoring easier. Using the robust sequencing method, researchers found higher levels of noncoding RNAs and higher white blood cell counts in IBC blood. In plasma, IBC samples had many intron RNA fragments while healthy plasma mostly carried mRNA fragments. The study appears in Science Advances and could help develop better treatments for this aggressive cancer.
Difficult words
- biomarker — A substance in the body used to detect diseasebiomarkers
- noncoding RNA — RNA molecule that does not make a proteinnoncoding RNAs
- plasma — The liquid part of blood
- intron — A noncoding part of a gene
- sequencing — A method to read the order of DNA or RNA
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think blood tests for cancer would be useful? Why?
- If a blood test finds cancer earlier, how could that help a patient?
- Have you or someone you know had a blood test for health? What was it for?
Related articles
Wearable 10‑Minute Antibody Sensors from University of Pittsburgh
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh made a wearable biosensor that detects antibodies in interstitial fluid in 10 minutes without a blood draw. The tiny carbon nanotube sensors are highly sensitive and the work appears in Analytical Chemistry.
