Safety Diagnostic Tool for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Lyophilized Serum

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives The international protocol used to diagnose non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) usually faces an inappropriate result due to the poor diagnostic ability in the early stages. Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), an established serum tumor marker that is used for NSCLC diagnosis, has limited sensitivity and specificity, but, still, it is the predominant complementary detecting tool wherein its results confirm diagnostic radiology findings (PET-CT). Unfortunately, the limited range of its sensitivity is unable to classify approximately one third of patients suffering from NSCLC. Due to a huge number of patients lately classified as NSCLC, the efficacy of the offered treatment is limited. Hence, the importance of discovering, improving, and establishing a new technique that participates in the NSCLC diagnosis is indeed urgent. Methods The low angle x-ray scattering (LAXS) technique was applied on the lyophilized serum of NSCLC patients to create patient profiles that were able to distinguish the molecular differences between NSCLC patients, avoiding the undesirable radiation exposure to the patients. Results The created LAXS profile was characterized by two peaks. The first scattering peak at 4.8° was sensitive to molecular alterations in protein structures that were the main characteristic differences from the normal serum. Comparing the measurements of LAXS profiles of NSCLC with the normal sera, the unique first scattering peak at 4.8° was elucidated as a characterization shape and profile for NSCLC and normal individuals. Conclusions: Using the LAXS technique gives us full details at a molecular level that are introduced as a promising tool that could be a supporter in NSCLC early detection.