Americans find big answers in tiny tissues.

SIMILAR research is also being carried out in the United States.

Scientists there revealed yesterday that they believe cancers may in future be diagnosed from a tiny drop of blood or speck of tissue smaller than a full stop.

New technology that allows cancer proteins to be analysed in minute samples could spell the end of surgical biopsies, research suggests.

The same system could also enable cancer treatment to be monitored quickly and easily.

Although the study focused on blood cancers, scientists hope to apply the technique to solid tumours too.

The US researchers developed a machine to separate out cancer-associated proteins by means of their electric charge. This varies according to modifications on the protein's surface.

Antibodies, immune system agents that bind to specific molecules, were then used to identify the relative amounts and positions of different proteins.

The technique was able to detect varying levels of activity of common cancer genes in human lymphoma samples, and even distinguish between different lymphoma types.

Biopsies involve removing lumps of tissue for analysis in a laboratory, and often require a general anaesthetic.

Dr Dean Feisher, from the University of Stanford in California, said: "This technology allows us to analyse cancer-associated proteins on a very small scale.

Not only can we detect picogram levels - one trillionth of a gram - of protein, but we can also see very subtle changes in the ways the protein is modified." The researchers, who report their findings in the online version of the journal Nature Medicine, were able to confirm the anti-cancer effect of a cholesterol-lowering statin drug on one lymphoma patient.

"This is the first time we've been able to see that this compound affects the biology of cancer cells in patients," Dr Feisher said.

The scientists are now testing the technique on head and neck tumours..