Russian scientists from the Krasnoyarsk Scientific Center SB RAS together with colleagues from Canada developed a preparation based on the aptamers for detecting cancer cells and metastases. This is reported in a press release on the site “Godunuki.rf”.
Aptamers are called single-stranded DNA molecules that act as analogues of antibodies and are associated with target cells, including cancer cells. They allow you to visualize even small tumor foci. In the new work, researchers have created DNA aptamers marked with radioactive carbon, which is a safe and fast-waving radionuclide.
The drug was tested on mice with ascidal carbonated erlich and its metastases. The aptamer allowed defining primary and secondary tumor foci of less than two millimeters. Metastatic lesions were revealed in the thyroid gland, stomach, liver, kidneys, intestines, muscles and many other organs. The substance was completely removed from the body within an hour.