Real-time mass spectrometry identifies brain cancer mutations during surgery

Editor's Note

A mass spectrometry platform that identifies key brain cancer mutations in real-time during surgery shows potential for improving outcomes in a procedure when time is of utmost importance, Technology Networks reported June 3.

Developed by the Mayo Clinic, the platform specifically targets dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations on samples taken during surgery—a process that reportedly takes only 2 minutes. According to the report, the platform was tested on more than 240 tissue biopsies from patients undergoing brain surgery for glioma between 2021 and 2023. Full study results appeared May 28 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

In addition to aiding decision-making and facilitating real-time diagnosis, the platform could enable tailoring treatment based on the molecular features of the tumor, Technology Networks reports. “Researchers were able to diagnose IDH gene mutations with 100% accuracy,” the outlet concludes. “They are conducting more research to find other signatures in tumors where the mutation is absent. In addition, they plan to broaden their discoveries to include other types of brain cancers.”