• A Charles Sturt researcher has helped develop a cheaper, more accessible cancer detection method
• The ‘molecular switch’ technology can identify key cancer-related genes to inform more targeted treatment

A Charles Sturt University researcher is helping transform the future of cancer diagnosis with a new, low-cost testing method fast-tracking access to treatment.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Cancer and Molecular Biology) in the Charles Sturt Rural Health Research Institute Dr Sharmin Aktar has co-led two major studies that introduce a powerful new tool for detecting genetic mutations linked to colorectal cancer.

As one of the most common and deadly forms of cancer globally, she said the research would have a significant impact on healthcare systems regionally, nationally and globally.

“Our goal was to develop a simple, accurate and affordable test that can be used even in areas without access to high-end lab equipment,” Dr Aktar said.

“We believe this technology has the potential to make cancer diagnosis more accessible for all Australians and people around the world.”

The research was conducted in collaboration with Griffith University and supervised by Distinguished Professor in Nanotechnology in the Charles Sturt Rural Health Research Institute Muhammad Shiddiky.

The new platform, called the PNA-LNA molecular switch, can identify mutations in key cancer-related genes, such as KRAS and BRAF. These mutations help doctors understand how a cancer is likely to behave and which treatments might work best.

In the second of the two studies, researchers tested the platform on a larger group of patients and found that a specific mutation, called KRAS G12V, was linked to more advanced disease.

This finding could help doctors identify which patients are at greater risk and adjust treatment plans accordingly.

Dr Aktar said the new testing method has exceptional sensitivity, high accuracy, is low cost and versatile.

“It is able to detect extremely low levels of cancer-related mutations and shows an 89 per cent agreement with next-generation sequencing, which is the current gold standard,” she said.

“Not only is it deal for use in rural, remote and under-resourced settings, but there is potential to adapt the method for diagnosing other diseases in humans, animals and plants.”

The findings have been published in two respected international journals:

• ‘A novel platform for mutation detection in colorectal cancer using a PNA-LNA molecular switch,’ published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics.
• ‘Mutation profiling of KRAS and BRAF in primary tumours and circulating tumour cells of colorectal cancer patients using PNA-LNA molecular switch,’ published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease.

Charles Sturt played a key role in the project’s supervision, data analysis and research publication following lab work was performed at Griffith University.