In research funded by Sparks charity, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and Cancer Research UK, researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a test for blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples that looks for a specific panel of four pieces of short genetic code known as microRNAs, which are found in greater quantities in malignant germ cell tumours. The test can distinguish malignant germ cell tumours from benign germ cell tumours and other cancers. The test can be used for diagnosis of malignant germ cell tumours in any part of the body, including the brain.
The test can also be used to check the effectiveness of treatments and, as it is safe and cost-effective, allows for frequent testing to monitor for the recurrence of malignant germ cell tumours.
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Dr Matthew Murray from the Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, says: "This test, developed with Dr Emma Bell, a postdoctoral scientist in our laboratory, could be exactly what we need: it could help us diagnose malignant germ cell tumours cheaply, safely and above all, more accurately than current methods. Our next step is to confirm our findings in a large clinical trial and, if this is successful, we hope to see the test in routine use in hospitals in the near future."
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