Seize the opportunity: A biophysicist from Perm Polytechnic shares insights on how to detect cancer in its early stages.

What is cancer and how does it develop?

Cancer refers to malignant cells found in nearly any tissue of the body that have gained the ability to divide uncontrollably and lose their functions. These cells derive their nutrients in the same way as normal cells. However, due to their rapid growth, they intercept the nutrients intended for healthy tissue cells, thereby suppressing them. This results in the development of a neoplasm that destroys the organ in which it grows.

It is important to understand that the mutation of healthy cells into cancerous ones occurs continuously within the body, but is usually controlled by the immune system, which recognizes and destroys them as foreign substances. In cases where immunity is weakened, cancer cells can escape control and lead to tumor development.

— The main issue is that cancer is often diagnosed at late stages, making it very difficult or even impossible to help the patient. Therefore, one of the primary ways to suspect the development of cancer is through proper and objective self-assessment. For instance, the appearance of rapid fatigue, slight spontaneous temperature elevation (37.0-37.2 degrees), changes in body weight, and other symptoms of malaise, — explains Ivan Krasknyakov, Associate Professor of Applied Physics at Perm Polytechnic University, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

The connection between lifestyle and cancer

Scientific studies confirm that an unhealthy lifestyle increases the risk of developing oncological diseases.

– Smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer and also elevates the risk of other types of cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption contributes to the emergence of malignant neoplasms in the liver, oral cavity, and esophagus. An imbalanced diet overloaded with processed meats, sugar, and fast food creates a favorable environment for the development of tumors in the stomach and intestines.

Obesity, in turn, is closely linked to breast, pancreatic, and liver cancers. A lack of physical activity increases the risk of hormone-dependent tumors in both men and women. Excessive exposure to sunlight, particularly ultraviolet radiation, is considered a cause of melanoma and other carcinomas. Finally, chronic stress weakens the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to oncogenesis, – asserts biophysicist Ivan Krasknyakov.

At the same time, a balanced diet, exercise, abstaining from harmful habits, and preventive examinations significantly reduce the likelihood of developing this insidious disease.

What are metastases and how do they spread throughout the body?

Secondary tumor foci, which arise when malignant cells leave the primary tumor and spread to other organs, are called metastases. They most commonly affect organs with rich blood supply: the lungs, liver, bones, and brain.

– Metastasis is a complex process that involves several sequential stages. First, cancer cells detach from the primary tumor, losing their connection with one another due to mutations and gaining the ability to migrate. Then, they penetrate into the blood or lymphatic vessels and begin to circulate throughout the body. Not all cells can withstand this journey, but some successfully evade attacks from the immune system and survive in the bloodstream. Upon reaching a new organ, they settle down, attaching to the walls of capillaries and infiltrating the tissues. In the final stage of this process, metastatic cells begin to actively multiply, forming a new tumor focus, – explains Ivan Krasknyakov, Associate Professor of Applied Physics at Perm Polytechnic University, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

Effectiveness of tumor marker tests

Tumor markers are specific substances (proteins, enzymes, hormones) that may be elevated in the blood when a tumor is present.

– Such tests, despite their simplicity and accessibility, have both advantages and disadvantages that are important to consider. Among the positive aspects, the ease of performing the analysis stands out, as it can be done quickly and without complex procedures, as well as the ability to monitor treatment effectiveness, since changes in the levels of specific substances allow for assessing the success of therapy. Moreover, they can help in identifying disease recurrence, as a subsequent rise in tumor markers after treatment may signal a return of the disease. However, tumor markers also have significant limitations. In particular, they possess low specificity, as their levels can increase not only in cancer but also in other conditions such as inflammatory processes, infections, and benign tumors, – states the expert from Perm Polytechnic University.

It is crucial to understand that tumor marker tests cannot replace standard diagnostic methods such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and biopsy, and are not suitable for cancer screening.

Detecting cancer at stages 1-2

Modern oncological diagnostics utilize high-tech methods that allow for accurate and effective identification of malignant neoplasms. For example, liquid biopsy is an innovative blood test for detecting circulating tumor cells and DNA fragments.

— Advanced technologies like positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) can detect even the smallest tumor foci and provide information about their activity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast allows for high-precision identification of soft tissue tumors. Low-dose computed tomography is used for lung cancer screening, especially in individuals with risk factors, — explains biophysicist Ivan Krasknyakov.

Mammography is considered a key method for diagnosing breast cancer. Colonoscopy is an early detection method for colorectal tumors, allowing for assessment of the mucosa's condition. Pap tests and HPV tests are important tools for identifying precancerous changes in the cervix.

According to the expert, to detect tumors more effectively at an early stage, it is better to use a combination of these methods, as this will increase the chances of identifying cancer at stages 1-2, when treatment is most effective.

What is immunotherapy and how can it help fight cancer?

Normally, our immune system protects us from viruses, bacteria, and even potentially dangerous cells that can turn into tumors. However, malignant formations possess several features that allow them to evade the body's attack.

Firstly, cancer cells can alter their proteins, making them "invisible" to the immune system. Secondly, they release special substances that "sedate" the body's defenses. Finally, due to the rapid growth rate of malignant cells, the immune system simply cannot keep up with them.

— Immunotherapy is a modern treatment method that helps "wake up" the immune system so that it begins to attack the tumor again. The primary treatment method involves administering drugs that lift the "brakes" off the immune system, allowing it to attack cancer. They are typically used for melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, and other tumors. There is also T-cell therapy. Its essence lies in the fact that scientists take immune cells (T-lymphocytes) from the patient, "train" them to fight the tumor, and then reintroduce them into the body. This treatment is effective for leukemias and lymphomas. Another popular method is therapy with monoclonal artificially created antibodies. They locate malignant cells in the body and mark them, helping the immune system destroy them. This works for breast cancer, lymphoma, and leukemias, — explains Perm Polytechnic University expert Ivan Krasknyakov.

Among the advantages of immunotherapy are the following: it can work even at advanced stages of cancer; it sometimes leads to long-term remission (the tumor disappears for an extended period); unlike chemotherapy, it affects only cancer cells, not the entire body.

Disadvantages include: it does not work on all types of cancer – so far, it has shown the best results with melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, lymphomas, and it may cause autoimmune reactions, where the immune system starts attacking healthy tissue cells, leading to their damage.

Defeating cancer by altering DNA

Cancer is a disease associated with errors in genes. The cells in our body contain "instructions" (DNA) that regulate their growth, division, and death. When mutations occur in this macromolecule, cells begin to divide uncontrollably, turning into tumors.

Gene therapy is a method that allows for correcting these errors at a genetic level. Unlike traditional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, it does not merely kill cancer cells but changes their "program code" (DNA) so that they either stop dividing uncontrollably or become vulnerable to the immune system.

— Gene therapy aimed at combating cancer can be implemented through several main approaches. First, it involves the introduction of genes that induce the death of cancer cells. Within this approach, so-called "therapeutic" genes are delivered to malignant cells, triggering mechanisms of programmed cell death. For example, this could be a gene encoding a protein that destroys the cell from within or a gene that increases the cell's sensitivity to death. Second, correction of mutations causing malignant growth is applied.

This method allows for precise editing of the genetic code, enabling the correction of mutations that lead to the development of neoplasms. Another approach involves modifying immune cells to enhance their anti-tumor activity. For this, immune cells are trained in the lab to recognize and attack cancer cells. Afterward, these cells are reintroduced into the body, where they begin their fight against the tumor, — explains Ivan Krasknyakov, Associate Professor of Applied Physics at Perm Polytechnic University, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.