Ripe bananas could help detect skin cancer

February 10, 2016  20:39

Black spots found on ripe bananas could lead to scientists discovering faster and better methods to detect skin cancer.

An enzyme that causes the black spots could unlock the secrets to an early skin cancer diagnosis, exciting new research has uncovered.

The tyrosinase enzyme is also present in human skin.

And scientists found it is found in greater quantities in people suffering from melanoma - the deadliest form of cancer.

Scientists - from the Laboratory of Physical and Analytical Electrochemistry in Switzerland - built a custom cancer scanner that could be used on banana peels, and then human tissue. They found the tyrosinase enzyme was a reliable marker for melanoma growth.

Team leader Hubert Girault said: “By working with fruit, we were able to develop and test a diagnostic method before trying it on human biopsies.

“This system could obviate the need for invasive tests like biopsies.”

In the earliest stage 1 of cancer, the enzyme is not very apparent and becomes widespread and evenly distributed in stage 2, and unevenly distributed in stage 3 - when the cancer has started spreading to other parts of the body. People have a much higher chance of survival if the cancer is detected earlier on.

Banana peel spots are a similar size to melanoma spots.

The scanner has eight flexible microelectrodes, spaced like comb teeth that pass over the skin to measure the quantity and distribution of the enzyme.

The team believe it could be used one day to destroy tumors, hopefully rendering biopsies and even chemotherapy unnecessary.

Mr Girault added: “Our initial laboratory tests showed us that our device could be used to destroy the cells.”

The research was published in the German science journal Angewandte Chemie.

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