The battle against cancer now passes through the laboratories of the Department of Chemistry of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), where a young scientist, Elena Thanou, is developing the "weapon" of the next generation: liquid biopsy.
As a new fellow of the Elena Iliopoulou Giamas Foundation, the 27-year-old PhD candidate is working intensively on innovative molecular methodologies. Her goal is to detect critical biomarkers in a minimally invasive manner, bringing scientific fiction closer to everyday clinical practice.
From Chemistry to Man: The Vision of a Young Researcher
Elena Thanou’s academic career began with a deep desire: to bridge the gap between pure science and human need. “What interested me most was connecting people with Chemistry,” she says. This motivation led her to the master’s program “Clinical Biochemistry – Molecular Diagnostics” and today, to her doctoral research.
Elena focuses on cancer, a disease that, as she points out, now touches every family. While in the past the emphasis was on heredity, today the decisive role of our lifestyle is highlighted. The continued increase in cases makes the need for timely and accurate diagnosis more urgent than ever.
What is Liquid Biopsy and why does it change everything?
Traditional tissue biopsy often requires surgical procedures to obtain a sample from the tumor. However, liquid biopsy promises something revolutionary: mapping the molecular profile of the tumor through a simple sampling of biological fluids.
Elena Thanou's research extends the boundaries of this technology. It is not limited to blood plasma, but examines:
Bronchial lavages
Tail
Saliva (a field that remains poorly studied to this day)
"Our dream is for liquid biopsy to essentially support doctors, helping them to immediately understand whether a treatment is effective for a specific patient," explains the researcher. The big advantage? The possibility of repeated tests that allow for dynamic monitoring of the disease and the implementation of truly personalized medicine.
Droplet Digital PCR: Cutting-edge technology at the service of life
At the heart of her work is the development of protocols Droplets Digital PCR (ddPCR), of the most modern and accurate form PCR worldwide. This method is a huge leap forward, as it offers:
Absolute Quantification: Elena can accurately calculate the percentage of mutation in the patient, comparing the situation before and after treatment.
Simultaneous Detection: Ability to detect many different mutations simultaneously, even in a very small amount of sample.
Epigenetic Modifications: Detection of changes that may not have been adequately studied to date.
Its innovation has already been recognized internationally, most notably with the recent distinction at the Liquid Biopsy Conference. ACTC, in Thessaloniki, for her research on Waldenstrom's disease.
The "Elena Iliopoulou Yama" Scholarship: A motivation with a human face
Elena Thanou was selected from dozens of doctoral candidates to receive the two-year scholarship of the “Elena Iliopoulou Yamas” Foundation. This scholarship is not just a financial support, but a tribute. The Foundation was established in 2021 by Spyros Yamas in memory of his wife, Elena, who lost her battle with colon cancer.
Spyros Giamas, President of the Foundation, emphasized that Elena stood out for her ethics, performance and innovation. For her part, the scholar describes the distinction as “a special honor and a great responsibility,” as it allows her to devote herself exclusively to research that can save lives.
With similar research, the future of oncology looks more promising, making diagnosis a more humane, rapid and, above all, effective process.
photo Greek Radio FL
