Lung cancer ‘could be detected by world-first urine test’

Scientists have created a world-first urine test that could indicate the first possible signs of lung cancer.

Many lung cancer cases are diagnosed at later stages, meaning the disease can be harder to treat. But researchers hope that early detection could mean that patients get treatments sooner, giving them a better chance of overcoming the disease.

The pioneering test looks for so-called “zombie” cell proteins that could indicate a patient has lung cancer in its earliest stages. It has been tested successfully on mice and scientists are hoping to start in humans soon.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge and Early Cancer Institute looked at proteins excreted by senescent cells. These cells are often referred to as “zombie cells” because they are alive in the body but are unable to grow and divide.

The cells cause tissue damage by reprogramming their immediate environment to help promote the emergence of cancer cells.

Now, scientists have developed an injectable sensor that interacts with zombie cell proteins and releases an easily detectable compound into urine, which signals their presence.

Prof Ljiljana Fruk said: “We know that before cancer emerges there are changes in the affected tissues. One of the changes is the accumulation of damaged cells that are not damaged enough to be removed, but enough to release signals that reprogramme the tissue and make it perfect for cancer development.

“We identified a specific protein released by these cells in lung tissue and designed a probe that is cut into two pieces in its presence. The probe is composed of two parts and the smaller one is released into urine through kidneys.

“Once in urine, this part of the probe is too small to be detected, but it can be made visible by adding a bit of silver solution to it – the same silver compound used in photography in the early days of analogue photos.

“By monitoring the colour of urine after the injection of the probe we can say if cells are present in lungs that would indicate the early signs of pathological changes that might lead to cancer.”

She added: “Ultimately, we wanted 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.”

Scientists behind the study, funded by Cancer Research UK, said they were keen to find a test that was a cheaper alternative to expensive scans.

Lung cancer is the world’s leading cause of cancer death, accounting for about 1.8 million deaths every year. Survival rates in those with advanced forms of the disease, where tumours have spread, are particularly poor.