A study led by WANG Erkang, a research fellow at CAS Changchun Institute of Applied

Chemistry, and KONG Jilie, a professor at Fudan University, has since January 2004

worked on real-time analysis of markers, in an attempt to diagnose cancers at an early

stage. In the past 4 years, researchers have realized real-time, sensitive, and specific tests

of selected cancer markers, using a range of advanced techniques, including CE-ECL, SPR,

LIF, spectrum techniques, protein chips, and genetic chips.

Based on the said accomplishments, they developed an improved CE-ECL process to detect

prolidase, a marker for both liver and breast cancers. They also rolled out a highly sensitive

and selective analysis system integrating an array of advanced technologies, and chips

able to test diverse proteins and genes. These new approaches have been applied in clinical

diagnosis, and in establishing a clinical database for the purpose. Researchers studied the

pharmacokinetics of prolidase activity in red blood cells, to unveil the effects of drugs on

cancers through understanding the effects of drugs on enzyme activity. They established a

process to test aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and

study the harmful effects of alcohol on liver cancer cells. In addition, they examined the

interactions between an anti-cancer drug called Mitoxantrone and Calf Thymus DNA and

cytochrome c, in an attempt to provide theoretical evidences for targeted drug

combinations.