Two studies funded by Cancer Research UK and conducted by Oxford Population Health have unveiled promising findings on blood proteins that could signal the presence of cancer as early as seven years before diagnosis. These discoveries could pave the way for early detection and prevention strategies, fundamentally changing how we approach cancer treatment.
IDENTIFYING CANCER-LINKED PROTEINS
Scientists analyzed blood samples to identify 618 proteins associated with 19 different cancer types. Remarkably, 107 of these proteins were found in individuals whose blood was collected at least seven years prior to a cancer diagnosis. These proteins are believed to be active in the earliest stages of cancer development, offering a potential window for early intervention.
POTENTIAL FOR EARLY DETECTION AND PREVENTION
The researchers suggest that some of these proteins could serve as biomarkers for early cancer detection. This could lead to diagnosing and treating cancer much earlier than currently possible or even preventing the disease altogether. This aligns with Cancer Research UK’s long-term strategy to prevent cancer through innovative research.
THE ROLE OF PROTEOMICS
To achieve these findings, the team employed a technique called proteomics, which allows the analysis of a large set of proteins from tissue samples at a single point in time. This technique helps scientists understand how proteins interact and identify significant differences between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues.
FIRST STUDY: BLOOD SAMPLE ANALYSIS FROM THE UK BIOBANK
In the first study, researchers analyzed blood samples from over 44,000 participants in the UK Biobank, including more than 4,900 individuals who later developed cancer. They examined 1,463 proteins in these samples, comparing those who developed cancer with those who did not. This comparison revealed 182 proteins that differed significantly three years before a cancer diagnosis.
SECOND STUDY: GENETIC DATA AND PROTEIN INFLUENCE
The second study delved into genetic data from over 300,000 cancer cases to explore which blood proteins are involved in cancer development. The researchers identified 40 proteins influencing the risk of developing nine different types of cancer. However, they also noted that targeting these proteins might lead to unintended side effects, highlighting the need for further research.
FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
While these findings are promising, the researchers emphasize the need for additional studies to understand the exact role of these proteins in cancer development. They aim to identify the most reliable proteins for testing, develop clinical detection methods, and determine which drugs can effectively target these proteins.
EXPERT INSIGHTS
Dr. Keren Papier, Senior Nutritional Epidemiologist at Oxford Population Health and co-author of the first study emphasizes the importance of understanding cancer’s earliest stages. She believes this research provides crucial insights into how blood proteins can affect cancer risk, paving the way for reliable prevention methods.
Dr. Joshua Atkins, Senior Genomic Epidemiologist and co-author of the first study, highlights the significant influence of genes and their associated proteins in cancer development. He appreciates the contributions of UK Biobank participants, which have enabled a comprehensive understanding of gene-cancer interactions over time.
Dr. Karl Smith-Byrne, Senior Molecular Epidemiologist and lead author of both studies, discusses the potential of predicting how the body responds to drugs targeting specific proteins. This could inform early indications of side effects, guiding the selection of safer targets for clinical trials.
Professor Ruth Travis, Senior Molecular Epidemiologist and co-author of both studies, underscores the importance of identifying the factors driving cancer’s earliest stages. She notes that this research offers new clues about cancer causes and biology, with technology now capable of analyzing thousands of proteins across numerous cancer cases.
Dr. Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, stresses the importance of identifying early molecular signals for cancer prevention. He views these discoveries as crucial steps toward offering preventative therapies, ultimately aiming to extend and improve lives free from cancer.
