Clinical Report: Whole Blood Opens New Route to Biomarker Discovery
Overview
A novel method for extracting extracellular vesicles (EVs) from whole blood has been developed. This approach preserves molecular signals that may be lost during plasma processing, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of EVs.
Background
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are critical for understanding disease progression and treatment responses, making them valuable for biomarker discovery. Traditional methods focus on plasma-derived EVs, which may overlook important molecular information present in whole blood.
Data Highlights
The optimized PROSPR method requires 200 μL of blood and can enrich EVs in less than 20 minutes using a benchtop centrifuge. The analysis identified 251 proteins unique to blood-derived EVs, highlighting the distinct molecular profiles available from whole blood.
Key Findings
- The PROSPR method produces purified, structurally intact EVs from whole blood.
- Whole-blood EVs contained molecular information not captured by plasma EVs alone.
- Protein analysis revealed 251 unique proteins in blood-derived EVs.
- The method retains the characteristic structure and membrane properties of EVs.
- Low levels of contaminating non-EV proteins were found in the preparations.
Clinical Implications
This method could facilitate the use of existing biobank samples for future research.
Conclusion
The optimized PROSPR method represents a significant advancement in EV research. Further validation is necessary.
Related Resources & Content
- Frontiers in Immunology, 2026 -- Blood-Based Biomarkers in PD-1/PD-L1 Immunotherapy: Differentiating Predictive from Prognostic Indicators
- the pathologist, 2015 -- Liquid Biopsy – Dawn of a New Era in Diagnosis?
- the analytical scientist, 2024 -- Deep Profiles for Personalized Medicine
- the pathologist, 2026 -- Breaking the Biomarker Bottlenecks: Part 1
- MISEV2023 provides an updated and key reference for researchers studying the basic biology and applications of extracellular vesicles - PMC
- Circulating Tumour DNA and Extracellular Vesicle‐Associated DNA as Biomarkers for Cancer Detection: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis - PMC
- MISEV2023 provides an updated and key reference for researchers studying the basic biology and applications of extracellular vesicles - PMC
- Circulating Tumour DNA and Extracellular Vesicle‐Associated DNA as Biomarkers for Cancer Detection: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis - PMC
- Automated disc device for multiplexed extracellular vesicle isolation and labelling from liquid biopsies in cancer diagnostics | Nature Biomedical Engineering
Based on findings from:
Whole Blood Opens New Route to Biomarker Discovery
The Pathologist, 2026.
https://www.thepathologist.com/issues/2026/articles/september/whole-blood-opens-new-route-to-biomarker-discovery/
This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.
