Your Morning Gargle Can Be Used to Accurately Detect Head and Neck Cancer
Such were the findings of scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center who were able to capture genetic signatures common to head and neck cancer.
The researchers collected the rinsed saliva and filtered out cells thought to contain one or more of 21 bits of chemically altered genes common only to head and neck cancers. Tumor and blood samples also were collected.
The cellular mishaps occur when small molecules called methyl groups clamp on to the DNA ladder structure of a gene. In the grip of too many methyl groups, these genes can incorrectly switch on or off in a process called hypermethylation.
The said findings suggest that the gargle test could be a potential screening procedure for people at high risk for developing head and neck cancer (i.e. heavy smokers, alcohol drinkers).
According to lead investigator Joseph Califano, M.D. - associate professor of otolaryngology — head and neck cancer and oncology at Johns Hopkins:
“Mass-methylation” of particular genes can lead to cancer. Methylation mistakes in other genes could be triggered simply by aging and amount to no more than fine lines and wrinkles.
The challenge is to predict which hypermethylated genes are most specific to cancer. And because every cancer process involves a unique genetic fingerprint, combining several gene signatures for the disease rather than using single ones may identify a larger percentage of cancer patients.
Cool eh? Thus, your morning gargle is not just breath freshener after all.
Find more detail from Science Daily.
Tags: head-and-neck-cancer, saliva, saliva-testRelated Stories
POSTED IN: on cancer diagnostics, on head and neck cancer
1 opinion for Your Morning Gargle Can Be Used to Accurately Detect Head and Neck Cancer
Marijke
Jan 2, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Hi Gloria,
I saw that article when I was doing my daily news search. Pretty interesting if it turns out to be a reliable test. If we can’t beat this disease yet, the earlier we can detect it, the better.
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