TXNRD1 Methylation Screening in Cervical Cells for Endometrial Cancer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for screening endometrial cancer, such as transvaginal ultrasonography and endometrial microtissue pathology, are invasive, lack objective diagnostic criteria, and have low sensitivity and specificity, especially in premenopausal women, necessitating a non-invasive and more accurate screening method.
Innovation Solution
The use of a primer-probe combination for detecting the methylation level of the TXNRD1 gene, specifically targeting regions chr12:104215491-104216453, through methods like methylation-specific PCR and bisulfite sequencing, in cervical exfoliated cells or tissues, providing a non-invasive and highly sensitive screening for endometrial cancer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If transvaginal ultrasonography is used for screening, then the screening can be performed non-invasively, but the sensitivity is limited especially in premenopausal women
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses DNA methylation detection as an intermediary biomarker to indirectly indicate the presence of endometrial cancer. Instead of directly imaging the tumor through ultrasound, the method detects molecular changes (methylation patterns) in exfoliated cells that serve as a mediator between the disease state and the diagnostic result, thereby achieving both non-invasiveness and high sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical imaging system (ultrasound) with a molecular detection system (methylation analysis). By substituting the physical imaging approach with biochemical detection of epigenetic markers, the method achieves higher sensitivity while maintaining non-invasive characteristics
2Measurement precision
If endometrial microtissue pathology or cytology is used, then the diagnostic accuracy can be improved, but the sampling process becomes invasive causing patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary diagnostic information (DNA methylation patterns) from exfoliated cells that are naturally shed, rather than requiring extraction of tissue samples through invasive procedures. This selective extraction of molecular markers from easily obtainable cells maintains diagnostic accuracy while eliminating patient discomfort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses exfoliated cells as a copy or surrogate of the endometrial tissue, analyzing molecular markers in these easily obtainable cells instead of the primary tissue itself. This copying approach allows diagnostic information to be obtained from a non-invasive source that reflects the state of the endometrium
3Ease of operation
If endometrial cytology is performed, then screening can be done without anesthesia, but the results are affected by hormonal changes and sampling time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from morphological assessment of cells (which varies with hormonal cycles) to epigenetic methylation patterns of specific genes. This parameter change targets molecular markers that are more stable and less influenced by physiological fluctuations, thereby improving result consistency while maintaining procedural simplicity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method offers a non-invasive, highly sensitive, and specific screening for endometrial cancer, allowing for early detection and improved patient acceptance with fast detection speeds, enhancing the convenience and effectiveness of primary screening.
Implementation Method 1
DNA methylation is a chemical modification process in which a specific base in a DNA sequence obtains a methyl group through covalent binding under the catalysis of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) using S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as a methyl donor. DNA methylation occurs mainly on C of 5'-CpG-3' to generate 5-methylcytosine (5 mC).
Implementation Method 2
detecting the methylation level of the TXNRD1 gene, specifically targeting regions chr12:104215491-104216453, through methods like methylation-specific PCR and bisulfite sequencing
Implementation Method 3
detecting the methylation level of the TXNRD1 gene, specifically targeting regions chr12:104215491-104216453, through methods like methylation-specific PCR and bisulfite sequencing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present application relates to the technical field of molecular biology detection, and in particular, to the use of detecting the methylation level of the TXNRD1 gene in the diagnosis and/or screening of endometrial cancer. Provided are a kit for the diagnosis and/or screening of endometrial cancer with cervical exfoliated cells as detection samples, and the use thereof, wherein the TXNRD1 gene is used as a target, and the detection of TXNRD1 gene methylation can be used in the diagnosis and/or screening of endometrial cancer. A cervical swab sample can be collected at an outpatient service without the need for invasive sampling, such that same has higher patient acceptance.