ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

Urine test detects brain tumors with 97% accuracy

It's a simple, non-invasive test that could diagnose brain cancer before it gets the chance to wreak havoc.

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
June 18, 2021
in Health, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Brain tumors are some of the most challenging types of cancers to diagnose. When they’re caught by a doctor, the patient often already has neurological symptoms such as partial limb immobility or slurred speech. Japanese researchers at Nagoya University have recognized this problem and have devised a novel microRNA test that can detect brain tumors from less than a drop of urine.

Various regions of the brain that are affected by brain cancer. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

MicroRNAs — not to be confused with mRNA or messenger RNA, which some COVID vaccines employ — are a class of non-coding RNAs that play important roles in regulating gene expression. These tiny molecules of nucleic acid are secreted by various cells in the body, but can also survive undamaged in biological fluids like blood and urine.

The researchers at Nagoya University identified these microRNAs as a potentially reliable biomarker for detecting brain tumors.

“Urine can be collected easily without putting a burden on the human body,” says Nagoya University Associate Professor Atsushi Natsume.

Indeed, rather than employing biopsies and other invasive techniques, the prospect of tumor diagnosis from blood or urine has become increasingly appealing over the years. Previously, ZME Science reported on urine tests that detect different types of cancers, such as prostate, bladder, or lung cancer.

However, up until now, urine-based tests for diagnosing brain tumors have fallen short due to technological barriers in extracting microRNAs from urine.

Like any good engineers, the Japanese researchers led by Natsume made their own device capable of accurately extracting and reading microRNA from urine samples.

RelatedPosts

One mutated protein can be used to make our immune system attack and destroy cancer cells
Microsoft sniffs for cancer clues in your search queries
Scientists reprogram cancer cells back to normal
Miracle surgery: Doctors remove a hard-to-reach spinal tumor through the eye of a patient

The device consists of 100 million zinc oxide nanowires, which are suitable for medical use. The wires can extract a great variety and quantity of microRNAs from a single milliliter of urine.

In order to validate the urine test, the researchers collected urine from patients who were previously diagnosed with brain tumors and non-cancer individuals that acted as a control. Their microRNAs were compared.

The results showed that the test could distinguish patients with brain tumors from non-patients at a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97%, regardless of the malignancy and size of tumors.

Natsume was ecstatic by the promising results, hoping the test could soon contribute to the early diagnosis of some of the most aggressive types of brain cancers, such as glioblastomas.

“In the future, by a combination of artificial intelligence and telemedicine, people will be able to know the presence of cancer, whereas doctors will be able to know the status of cancer patients just with a small amount of their daily urine,” he said.

The findings appeared in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.

Tags: brain cancercancer

ShareTweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

A unique eye accessory
Health

Miracle surgery: Doctors remove a hard-to-reach spinal tumor through the eye of a patient

byRupendra Brahambhatt
1 week ago
Health

This Futuristic Laser Blood Test May Be the Key to Beating Cancer Early

byTudor Tarita
1 month ago
Health

CT Scans Save Lives But Researchers Now Say They Could Also Be Behind 100,000 Future Cancer Cases

byTibi Puiu
1 month ago
Health

Scientists uncover how aspirin may help stop cancer from spreading

byAlexandra Gerea
2 months ago

Recent news

The Worm That Outsourced Locomotion to Its (Many) Butts

May 16, 2025

The unusual world of Roman Collegia — or how to start a company in Ancient Rome

May 16, 2025
Merton College, University of Oxford. Located in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK. Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons

For over 500 years, Oxford graduates pledged to hate Henry Symeonis. So, who is he?

May 16, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.