New study uses astronomy techniques to find cancer biomarkers

Cancer Research UK scientists have found a new way of identifying biomarkers signalling a cancer’s aggressiveness by applying techniques developed for astronomy.

Researchers from the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and the University of Cambridge's department of oncology and Institute of Astronomy have created an automated method of carrying out immunohistochemistry analysis of 2,000 breast tumour samples.

By using techniques used by astronomers to automatically pick out indistinct objects in the night sky, the team was able to distinguish subtle differences in the staining of tumour cells depending on protein expression far faster than would be possible manually.

A larger international study is now being planned that involves samples from more than 20,000 breast cancer patients to further refine the new method.

Dr Julie Sharp, senior science information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "This unlikely collaboration between astronomers and cancer researchers is a prime example of how, by working together, scientists from different disciplines can bring about innovative new solutions for beating cancer."

This could prove vital in the fight against breast cancer, which is now the UK's most common cancer type, with more than 100 women being diagnosed with the condition daily.