Israeli Researchers Develop Marker to Detect Aggressive Cancerous Tumors

Israeli researchers have developed a radioactive marker to detect small and aggressive cancerous tumors. The research on a hypoxia radioactive marker, which identifies oxygen-deficient cells, was developed by Isotopia Molecular Imaging Ltd., and led by Prof. Sharon Ruthstein from the Department of Chemistry at Bar-Ilan University.

Studies have shown that oxygen concentration in the cell is directly related to the aggressiveness of cancerous tumors. The hypoxia radioactive marker, which is based on the Copper 64 isotope, will not only determine if the tumor is malignant or benign, but also how aggressive it is through a single image, eliminating the need for a biopsy, the university’s BIRAD – Research and Development Company Ltd. said in a statement.

The probability of cure depends largely on the type of cancer tumor and the stage at which the disease is discovered. Accurate means of diagnosis in the early stages is key to saving lives, according to the statement.