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Why does M2-PK allow you to detect cancer early without endoscopy?
In the current medical field, the importance of early detection of cancer needs no elaboration. With the advancement of technology, new biomarkers are constantly being discovered, providing new possibilities for early screening. Tumor M2-PK, the dimeric form of the pyruvate kinase isozyme M2, is such a key molecule that not only reflects the metabolic state of the tumor, but also provides a new method for detecting the tumor without the need for endoscopy. Early warning of potential tumors.
What is Tumor M2-PK?
Tumor M2-PK is a specific enzyme that is expressed primarily in many tumor cells and its levels are elevated in different types of tumors. This makes it a potential tumor marker, distinct from tissue-specific tumor markers such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Currently, researchers are exploring its application in early screening for colorectal cancer and other tumors.
M2-PK as a biomarker for colorectal cancer
After research, it was found that the M2-PK level in stool can be used as a screening indicator for colorectal cancer. When measured in stool at a cutoff of 4 U/ml, its sensitivity for colorectal cancer was 85% and for rectal cancer it was 56%. Moreover, the specificity of this test is as high as 95%.
The M2-PK test does not rely on occult blood, which means it can detect bowel cancer and high-risk adenomas in the presence or absence of bleeding.
This advantage makes M2-PK testing a non-invasive screening tool that most people are willing to undergo, allowing for early detection of colorectal cancer and helping to improve the success rate of treatment. M2-PK can be measured by non-invasive ELISA to obtain quantitative results, or the results can be obtained rapidly at the clinical site.
Potential application of M2-PK and cancer follow-up
The study found that the level of Tumor M2-PK in tumor cells is significantly correlated with the tumor stage, which makes it of great value in cancer follow-up. By measuring the level of Tumor M2-PK in EDTA plasma, the effectiveness of treatment can be monitored and the outcome and survival rate after treatment can be predicted.
If Tumor M2-PK levels decrease during treatment and remain low after treatment, it indicates that the treatment is effective; conversely, if levels increase, it may indicate tumor recurrence or metastasis.
Relationship between tumor metabolism and PKM2
Pyruvate kinase plays an important role in the glycolysis process, and different forms of pyruvate kinase can affect the metabolic pathways of cells. Tumor M2-PK is usually present in tumor cells as a dimer. In contrast, it exists as a tetramer in normal cells, where it can produce energy more efficiently. Tumor cells, on the other hand, choose to convert glucose into raw materials for the synthesis process, which helps promote the growth of tumor cells.
This change in metabolic function is an important reason why M2-PK is used as a tumor marker, because it reflects the metabolic characteristics of the tumor and provides a new perspective for medical research. It not only shows the presence of a tumor, but also provides important basis for the choice of treatment.
Future Outlook
With the in-depth study of Tumor M2-PK, its application is expected to be expanded to the screening and treatment follow-up of various tumors in the future. This is of great significance for improving early diagnosis rate and reducing cancer mortality. Can more people benefit from early detection of cancer by promoting non-invasive detection methods, which will become a major challenge for the future development of medicine?
