A novel tool for rapidly identifying the genetic ‘fingerprints’ of cancer cells may allow surgeons to more accurately remove brain tumours while a patient is in the operating room.

 

The new study describes the development of ultra-rapid droplet digital PCR, or UR-ddPCR, which the team at New York University found can measure the level of tumour cells in a tissue sample in only 15 minutes while also being able to detect small numbers of cancer cells, as few as five cells per square millimeter.

 

The researchers say their tool is fast and accurate enough, at least in initial tests on brain tissue samples, to become the first practical tool of its kind for detecting cancer cells directly using mutations in real time during brain surgery. 

 

UR-ddPCR produced the same results as standard ddPCR and genetic sequencing in more than 75 tissue samples from 22 patients at NYU undergoing surgery to remove glioma tumours.

 

“Our study shows that ultra-rapid droplet digital PCR could be a fast and efficient tool for making a molecular diagnosis during surgery for brain cancer, and it has potential to also be used for cancers outside the brain,” said study co-senior investigator Gilad Evrony.