MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

LeLISA: A New Lectin-Based Immunoassay for Evaluation of Mucinous and Serous Content in Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms

Summary

Researchers developed a new laboratory test called LeLISA that uses special proteins called lectins to distinguish between different types of pancreatic cysts. By testing cyst fluid samples against eight different lectins, they found that dangerous mucinous cysts showed strong binding patterns while safer serous cysts showed much weaker signals. This test could help doctors identify which pancreatic cysts need surgery and which ones are safe to monitor over time.

Background

Pancreatic cystic neoplasms are increasingly detected through imaging, with some having malignant potential. Current methods for discriminating between different cyst types have limited success. Lectins and calprotectin are proposed as biomarkers for identifying mucinous versus serous cysts.

Objective

To investigate the feasibility of using a novel lectin-based immunoassay (LeLISA) for distinguishing between mucinous cysts, serous cysts, and pseudocysts of the pancreas. The study aimed to determine if LeLISA could differentiate cyst types based on lectin binding patterns.

Results

Mucin-calprotectin complexes bound strongly to Galanthus nivalis, Agaricus blazei Murill, and Phaseolus vulgaris lectins, particularly in mucinous cyst fluids. Serous cyst fluids showed significantly lower optical density values than mucinous and pseudocyst fluids (p<0.0001), with no overlap between serous and mucinous groups.

Conclusion

LeLISA shows promising potential for differentiating pancreatic cyst types, particularly for identifying serous cysts through their characteristically low optical density signals. Further validation studies and confirmation from other laboratories are needed before clinical implementation.
  • Published in:Digestive Diseases and Sciences,
  • Study Type:Clinical Study,
  • Source: 10.1007/s10620-025-09188-4, PMID: 40591230
Scroll to Top