Ultra-Rapid Molecular-Genetic Assays Feasible for Tumor Classification During Surgery
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, March 3, 2025 -- Intraoperative ultra-rapid droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (UR-ddPCR) can identify tumor genetic subtype and quantify tumor cell percentage with high accuracy, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in Med.
Zachary R. Murphy, Ph.D., from the New York University Grossman School of Medicine in New York City, and colleagues introduced UR-ddPCR to examine its feasibility for use during surgery and whether the workflow can reduce the time from tissue biopsy to molecular diagnosis.
The researchers developed a UR-ddPCR assay for the IDH1 R132H mutation that accurately measured the mutant DNA percentage down to 0.1 percent, which was concordant with standard ddPCR. In addition, a UR-ddPCR assay was developed for the BRAF V600E mutation. The clinical feasibility of UR-ddPCR was assessed by intraoperative use in 22 brain tumor cases, with multiple tissue samples per case (78 samples). The tissue samples were used for UR-Stimulated Raman Histology and UR-ddPCR. There was high concordance for tumor cell percentages measured by intraoperative UR-ddPCR with standard ddPCR performed on the sample lysates. Raman histologic images provided real-time measurement of total cellularity, with tumor cell densities ranging from >1,300 to <5 tumor cells/mm2 within the core and at tumor margins, respectively. The UR-ddPCR results were achieved in an average of 14 minutes and 39 seconds and 17 minutes and seven seconds for IDH1 R132H and BRAF V600E assays, respectively.
"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," co-senior author Gilad D. Evrony, M.D., Ph.D., also from the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, said in a statement.
Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries; several authors are listed on a provision patent on the technology. Reagents and instruments were provided by Bio-Rad.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted March 2025
Read this next
Rebound Weight Gain Common After Discontinuing Antiobesity Medications
FRIDAY, July 25, 2025 -- Antiobesity medications (AOMs) yield weight loss during use, followed by weight regain after discontinuation of treatment, according to a review published...
Patients Face High Out-of-Pocket Costs After Incident Cancer Diagnosis
FRIDAY, July 25, 2025 -- Patients face high out-of-pocket costs (OOPCs) after an incident diagnosis of cancer, with costs increasing with stage of diagnosis, according to a study...
Exposure to PFAS Mixtures Linked to Increased Odds of Type 2 Diabetes
FRIDAY, July 25, 2025 -- In multiethnic populations, exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) mixtures may be associated with increased odds of type 2 diabetes (T2D)...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.