The innovation will offer potential universal biomarkers resulting in enhanced clinical applicability

A team of scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), including Nandini Bajaj and Dr Deepika Sharma, have identified metabolites in exosomes derived from pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and glioma cancer cell line, offering potential universal biomarkers resulting in enhanced clinical applicability. Additionally, insights into metabolic interactions within the tumour microenvironment (TME) provide a foundation for targeted therapies.

The researchers utilised a multi-technique approach combining Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Electron Microscopy (EM), Western Blot (WB), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), untargeted Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), providing a comprehensive characterization of exosomes, surpassing conventional single-method studies. The study advances cancer diagnostics, personalised medicine, and understanding of cancer progression mechanisms.

These metabolites identified highlight dysregulated pathways in the tumour microenvironment (TME), also give insights into how the cancer progresses and enables non-invasive and precise cancer detection and therapeutic targeting.

The research published in the journal Nanoscale can lead to targeted therapies that disrupt dysregulated metabolic pathways in tumours, enhancing treatment efficacy and potentially reducing side effects. This advancement could significantly improve patient outcomes, especially through personalised, precision medicine approaches.

PIB