Dissertation defence (Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostics): MSc Misba Khan
MSc Misba Khan defends the dissertation in Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostics titled “Novel biomarkers for urological cancer detection - Extracellular vesicle-based glycovariant assays” at the University of Turku on 18 September 2026 at 12.00 (University of Turku, Medisiina D, Säätiö Lecture Hall, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku).
Opponent: Professor Hing Leung (University of Glasgow, UK)
Custos: Professor Urpo Lamminmäki (University of Turku)
Summary of the Doctoral Dissertation:
Urological cancers, such as prostate cancer (PCa) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), are among the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. Detecting these cancers at an early stage can improve treatment and save many lives. However, the current diagnostic methods are not always accurate enough, creating a need for better biomarkers.
My research investigated whether cancer-associated proteins or small particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs) could be used as a source of biomarkers for cancer detection. Particular focus was on glycosylation, the process by which sugar structures are attached to proteins and other molecules. Cancer cells often have different glycosylation patterns from healthy cells. I therefore investigated whether these cancer-associated sugar changes could be detected on proteins or EVs and used to improve cancer detection.
What are the key findings of your dissertation research?
1. EV-associated proteins as biomarkers for RCC:
The study showed that EVs can be detected and characterised in blood and can serve as a source of biomarkers for RCC. EV-based assays targeting specific EV proteins showed potential for distinguishing RCC from both healthy and benign conditions.
2. Glycosylation of urinary PSMA as a biomarker for PCa:
The study showed that analysing the glycosylation of urinary PSMA, rather than measuring PSMA protein alone, improved the detection of prostate cancer. This suggests that information about the sugar structures on a cancer-associated protein can provide additional diagnostic information.
3. Glycosylated CA19-9 on EVs as a biomarker for PCa:
This study demonstrated that glycosylation patterns associated with CA19-9 on EVs could help distinguish PCa from benign conditions.
What kind of new information has your research revealed?
The research also introduced a new approach for isolating EVs. A rapid method called FastEV® was used to isolate EVs from patient samples and was combined with a sensitive immunoassay. By using nanoparticles coated with specific lectins, the method enabled the detection of cancer-related sugar changes on EVs.
What is the impact of your research on the surrounding world?
The research contributes to the development of new and minimally invasive methods for cancer detection. By identifying cancer-associated proteins, glycosylation changes, and EVs in blood and urine, the findings may help improve the detection of prostate and renal cancers and better distinguish cancer from benign conditions. Although further validation in larger patient groups is needed before clinical use, the work provides a basis for developing new biomarker-based diagnostic tools.