Genetic tests can diagnose brain tumours in two hours

Nottingham researchers have developed an ultra-rapid method of genetically diagnosing brain tumours. 

Researchers at the University of Nottingham along with clinicians at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) have developed an ultra-rapid method of genetically diagnosing brain tumours that will cut the time it takes to classify them from up to eight weeks to as little as two hours. 

The approach of the team at NUH has achieved a 100% success rate, providing diagnostic results in under two hours from surgery and detailed tumour classifications within minutes of sequencing. Moreover, the platform’s ability to continue sequencing enables a fully integrated diagnosis within 24 hours.

“Traditionally, the process of diagnosing brain tumours has been slow and expensive. Now, with this new technology we can do more for patients because we can get answers so much more quickly which will have a much bigger influence on clinical decision-making, in as little as two hours,” said Stuart Smith, a neurosurgeon from the school of medicine at NUH. 

Faster sequencing

The current treatment pathway starts with an MRI scan to ascertain the presence of a tumour; patients will speak to clinicians to discuss the possibilities of what type of tumour they may have. For many tumour types, people would then undergo some form of surgery to obtain a sample of the tumour, which currently is sent away to centralised labs for testing to look for abnormalities in the DNA – which will determine what type of tumour it is.

Traditionally experts would then look at the specimens and the neuropathology view would be to try and identify the cells visually. But in the past few years, the process has changed and tumours are categorised on the DNA and genetic abnormalities – which traditionally is a slow process due to technological limitations.

The new method sequences specific parts of human DNA at higher depth using Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ portable sequencing devices. This method allows relevant parts of the human genome to be examined much more quickly and multiple regions of DNA sequenced at the same time. 

“This new method now allows us to choose the bits of DNA that we need to look at in order to answer specific questions, such as what type of tumour and how can it be treated,” said Matt Loose, a biologist at NUH.