Preliminary study started together with the Dalarna research laboratory
The Dalarna research laboratory, under the direction of Helena Hermelin, laboratory manager, has started a preliminary study together with Lumito to analyze whether Lumito’s UCNPs are compatible with standard analysis methods regarding breast cancer.
Published: 31 August 2022, 14:40 The plan is to combine staining of HER2 (breast cancer marker) at the protein/DNA level with immunohistochemical staining (IHC) of the HER2 protein in the same tissue section from breast cancer patients with UCNP-labeled secondary antibody from Lumito. Helena Hermelin will use in situ hybridization technology (CISH) to analyze whether the HER2 gene is expressed at a normal level or whether the expression of the gene is enhanced (amplified) and at the same time with the help of IHC investigate whether the HER2 protein in the same cells has changed expression levels in combination with the other breast cancer markers with UCNP. – The advantage of UCNP is that in the same hematoxylin-stained tissue section, in addition to HER2, it is possible to stain several biomarkers at the same time with the possibility of switching between the different images to determine the presence of different marker epitopes, says Helena Hermelin. In the histopathological diagnosis of breast cancer, four different tumor markers are routinely analyzed; estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PgR), Ki-67 (proliferation marker) and HER2 (tumor protein). With Lumitos UCNP, the consumption of valuable patient tissue can be minimized as several markers can be included in the same tissue analysis. Material consumption is reduced and the tissue can be sufficient for more analyses. The UCNP particles are stable and do not lose signal strength, unlike fluorochrome-labeled antibodies used in multiplexing technology. – With Lumito’s technology, material consumption can be reduced as the tissue can be used for more analyses, and the analysis quality of material, which has been stored in a refrigerator for six months, can be as high as when the staining was performed. The analysis result is documented with a digital image that does not fade like the fluorochromes, where it can be difficult to see the analysis result after a while. Lumito’s technology makes it possible to show the analysis to caring clinicians at a later time. The technique can also be of great benefit in discussions between the pathologist and treating oncologist, for example during rounds, says Helena Hermelin. – We are happy to be able to present another collaboration, in our work to map which areas our technology is most useful in both research and clinic. It is valuable and exciting with the commitment that Helena shows us, comments Mattias Lundin, CEO Lumito.
For further information, please contact:
Lumito’s CEO, Mattias Lundin
e-mail: [email protected]
phone: 076-868 45 09 www.lumito.se
Dalarna Research Laboratory was started by Helena Hermelin after remodeling the pathology lab at Falu hospital to help conduct research and development for care in 2009-2010, under the auspices of the County Council. Her curiosity has driven her to optimization and improvement and she has worked for many years with IHC and later with ISH and some molecular pathology techniques such as mutation analyses, REN sectioning for genetic analyses, sectioning and Tissue Micro Array punching, digital scanning of archival slides and photo documentation. Since 2019, it has functioned as a “CORE Facility” with financial support from Biobanken Mellansverige, mainly in collaboration with the region’s biobank coordinator to drive the work to promote research and method development. For a long time, the pathology departments have had problems with prioritizing the release of biobank-approved tissue material for research due to staff shortages. Researchers and former pharmaceutical companies can be supported with help locally, regionally and also nationally/internationally. The advantages of “standardizing the release of material” and reducing sources of error and increasing the release of approved archival material directly to external researchers who receive help with the processing and access of tissue material. Lumito is specialized in medical technology for digital pathology. Through its in-house developed and patented technology, Lumito wants to give healthcare providers a powerful tool to meet the requirements for fast and safe tissue diagnostics in the individually adapted healthcare. The technology enables images with greater contrast where irrelevant background information is sorted out, making it easier for pathologists to find indications of cancer. The technology based on up-converting nanoparticles (UCNP – Up Converting Nano Particles) has the potential to significantly improve the diagnostics of tissue samples through higher quality of the analyzes and shorter analysis times. The method has several potential uses, but primarily Lumito has chosen to focus on digital pathology. The company is a spinoff from a research group at Lund University’s Department of Atomic Physics and Laser Center. www.lumito.se. The share is traded on NGM Nordic SME, under the name LUMITO and Mentor is Mangold Fondkommission, phone: 08-503 015 50. The following attachments are available for download:
PR_Cooperation Dalarna’s research lab See the full press release and other news from this company at Cision News.
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