All PublicationsSpectroscopySpectroscopy SupplementsApplication NotebookE-Books
All ColumnsAtomic PerspectivesChemometrics in SpectroscopyFocus on QualityIR Spectral Interpretation WorkshopIcons of SpectroscopyLasers and Optics InterfaceMolecular Spectroscopy WorkbenchUnsolved Problems in Spectroscopy
All NewsInterviewsSpectroscopy Sponsored News
All Application NotesAtomic SpectroscopyGeneralMass SpectrometryMolecular Spectroscopy
Conference CoverageConference Listing
Webcasts
ProductsE-BooksEventsPeer ExchangeAnalytically Speaking PodcastSponsored PodcastsSpecTubeSponsored ContentSponsored VideosAsk the ExpertsContent Engagement HubsInteractive Tools
SubscribeDirectory
Analytical Instrumentation
Analytical Method Validation
Analytical Theory
Annual Salary Survey
Atomic Absorption
Atomic Spectroscopy
Biological, Medical, and Clinical Analysis
Biopharmaceuticals Biotechnology and Protein Analysis
Cannabis Analysis
Corporate Profiles
Data Analytics, Statistics, Chemometrics, and Artificial Intelligence
Dietary Supplements Analysis
Energy, Petroleum, and Bio Energy
Environmental Analysis
Far-IR/Terahertz Spectroscopy
Fluorescence
Food and Beverage Analysis
Forensics, Narcotics
GC-MS
Homeland Security
ICP-MS
ICP-OES
Imaging
Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy
LC-MS
LIBS
Lasers and Laser-Source Technologies
Market Profiles
Mass Spectrometry
Molecular Spectroscopy
NMR
Near Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy
Optics
Peer-reviewed Articles
Pharmaceutical Analysis
Plastics Polymers and Rubber
Portable and Handheld Spectroscopy
Process Control and Analysis
Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QA/QC)
Quality by Design (QbD)
Raman Spectroscopy
Regulatory Standards/GLP/GMP Compliance
Sample Preparation
Spectroscopy Interviews
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)
Technology Forum
Trends
Tutorials
UV-vis Spectroscopy
Vendor Tips & Tricks
Web of Science
X-ray Analysis
Spotlight -
  • Analysis Along the Packaging Value Chain
  • Smart Chemistry for Food Systems
  • Miniaturized Spectroscopy for Biomedicine
IS1
  • Applied Clinical Trials

  • BioPharm International

  • Cannabis Science and Technology

  • Chromatography Online

  • Nutritional Outlook

  • Pharmaceutical Commerce

  • Pharmaceutical Executive

  • Pharm Tech

  • Spectroscopy Online

  • Turbo Machinery Magazine

Analytical Instrumentation
Analytical Method Validation
Analytical Theory
Annual Salary Survey
Atomic Absorption
Atomic Spectroscopy
Biological, Medical, and Clinical Analysis
Biopharmaceuticals Biotechnology and Protein Analysis
Cannabis Analysis
Corporate Profiles
Data Analytics, Statistics, Chemometrics, and Artificial Intelligence
Dietary Supplements Analysis
Energy, Petroleum, and Bio Energy
Environmental Analysis
Far-IR/Terahertz Spectroscopy
Fluorescence
Food and Beverage Analysis
Forensics, Narcotics
GC-MS
Homeland Security
ICP-MS
ICP-OES
Imaging
Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy
LC-MS
LIBS
Lasers and Laser-Source Technologies
Market Profiles
Mass Spectrometry
Molecular Spectroscopy
NMR
Near Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy
Optics
Peer-reviewed Articles
Pharmaceutical Analysis
Plastics Polymers and Rubber
Portable and Handheld Spectroscopy
Process Control and Analysis
Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QA/QC)
Quality by Design (QbD)
Raman Spectroscopy
Regulatory Standards/GLP/GMP Compliance
Sample Preparation
Spectroscopy Interviews
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)
Technology Forum
Trends
Tutorials
UV-vis Spectroscopy
Vendor Tips & Tricks
Web of Science
X-ray Analysis
IS1
  • Applied Clinical Trials

  • BioPharm International

  • Cannabis Science and Technology

  • Chromatography Online

  • Nutritional Outlook

  • Pharmaceutical Commerce

  • Pharmaceutical Executive

  • Pharm Tech

  • Spectroscopy Online

  • Turbo Machinery Magazine

    • Webcasts
    • Subscribe
    • Directory
Advertisement

News

Article

June 3, 2024

Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for the Diagnosis of Pancytopenia-Related Diseases

Author(s):

Will Wetzel

Fact checked by:

Jerome Workman, Jr.

A recent study examined how surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is being used to help diagnose pancytopenia-related diseases earlier.

In an effort to improve patient outcomes for pancytopenia-related diseases, researchers recently demonstrated how surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can help diagnose these diseases earlier, according to a recent study published in Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy (1).

Pancytopenia is a severe and complex blood disorder characterized by a significant reduction in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the peripheral blood (1). The condition can stem from a variety of underlying diseases, many of which carry high mortality rates. Early and accurate identification of the specific cause of pancytopenia is crucial for administering appropriate treatment and improving patient outcomes (1).

Microscopic view of hematological slide showing Pancytopenia. A condition in which there is a lower number of RBC, WBC and platelets in the blood. | Image Credit: © Saiful52 - stock.adobe.com.

Microscopic view of hematological slide showing Pancytopenia. A condition in which there is a lower number of RBC, WBC and platelets in the blood. | Image Credit: © Saiful52 - stock.adobe.com.

A research team from China, led by Shuo Chen and Guojun Zhang, explored how SERS could analyze serum samples from patients with pancytopenia. SERS is a powerful technique that enhances the Raman scattering signals of molecules adsorbed on rough metal surfaces, making it highly sensitive to molecular changes in biological samples (2). In their study, Chen and Zhang focused on three specific diseases associated with pancytopenia: aplastic anemia (AA), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and spontaneous remission of pancytopenia (SRP) (1). These conditions are similar in that the patient afflicted with them experiences similar initial symptoms, making them difficult to distinguish through conventional clinical examinations alone.

The researchers’ goal of the study, therefore, was to determine whether specific biomolecular changes in the serum could serve as reliable biomarkers for differentiating between AA, MDS, and SRP at an early stage. The SERS spectral analysis revealed significant differences in the serum composition of patients with these diseases (1). Variations in certain amino acids, protein substances, and nucleic acids were identified as potential biomarkers. These findings suggested that SERS could detect subtle molecular changes that were not apparent through traditional diagnostic methods (1).

To further refine their diagnostic approach, the researchers developed a diagnostic model by combining partial least squares analysis and linear discriminant analysis (PLS-LDA) (1). The intention of this statistical model was to process complex SERS data and enhance the accuracy of disease classification, which it was successful in doing so. The model achieved an impressive overall diagnostic accuracy of 86.67%, demonstrating its potential to distinguish between AA, MDS, and SRP even when routine clinical examinations fall short (1).

By enabling early and accurate differentiation of pancytopenia-related diseases, SERS demonstrated its ability to deliver results that can help lead to improved targeted treatments, ultimately improving survival rates for patients (1). The research team also demonstrated in their study how spectroscopic techniques such as SERS can be used in medical diagnostics by playing to the technique’s strengths. In a field where rapid and precise disease identification is paramount, medical diagnostics requires the use of techniques like SERS to identify disease early on.

Chen and Zhang's work represents a significant step forward in the clinical management of pancytopenia. As the SERS technique becomes more refined and accessible, it could be integrated into standard diagnostic protocols, offering a powerful tool for healthcare providers (1). The ability to diagnose these complex conditions accurately and early on could transform patient care and outcomes in hematology (1).

With further research and development, SERS could improve the early diagnosis and treatment of pancytopenia-related diseases, allowing clinicians to provide better care to patients.

References

(1) Chen, Z.; Li, Y.; Zhu, R.; et al. Early Differential Diagnosis of Pancytopenia Related Diseases based on Serum Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Mol. Biomol. Spectrosc. 2024, 316, 124335. DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.124335

(2) Wetzel, W. An Inside Look at the Latest in Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/an-inside-look-at-the-latest-in-surface-enhanced-raman-spectroscopy (accessed 2024-05-29).

Newsletter

Get essential updates on the latest spectroscopy technologies, regulatory standards, and best practices—subscribe today to Spectroscopy.

Subscribe Now!
Related Videos
Related Content
Advertisement
Woman using digital x-ray of human intestine holographic scan projection 3D rendering | Image Credit: © sdecoret - stock.adobe.com
September 15th 2025

New Imaging Breakthrough Offers Hope for Early Diagnosis of Acute Mesenteric Ischemia

Will Wetzel
Researcher biochemist woman analyzing virus expertise working on coronavirus treatment in microbiology hospital laboratory. Chemist scientist typing biomedical research. Biochemistry examination. | Image Credit: © DC Studio - stock.adobe.com
September 15th 2025

Monitoring the Kinetic Changes in Drugs and Metabolites Using SERS

Will Wetzel
Workers examining and sorting fresh carrots on a conveyor system in a processing facility during daylight hours | Image Credit: © Vital - stock.adobe.com
September 15th 2025

Examining the Application of Terahertz Metamaterials for Food Safety Testing

Will Wetzel
A doctor's or researcher's hand holding a Petri dish with a culture of bacteria on which an antibiotic disc test is performed. Antimicrobial resistance concept. | Image Credit: © TopMicrobialStock - stock.adobe.com
September 15th 2025

New Spectroscopic Approach Explores How Antibiotics Alter E. coli at the Molecular Level

Will Wetzel
Coronavirus Covid-19 macro simulation. | Image Credit: © oz - stock.adobe.com
September 15th 2025

Using UV-vis Spectroscopy for Fast, Affordable Diagnosis of Post-Covid Conditions

Will Wetzel
Advanced spectroscopy detects even the trickiest pesticide chemical contamination © Atchariya63 -chronicles-stock.adobe.com
September 15th 2025

Advanced Spectroscopy Uncovers Hidden Pesticide Contaminants with Precision

Jerome Workman, Jr.
Related Content
Advertisement
Woman using digital x-ray of human intestine holographic scan projection 3D rendering | Image Credit: © sdecoret - stock.adobe.com
September 15th 2025

New Imaging Breakthrough Offers Hope for Early Diagnosis of Acute Mesenteric Ischemia

Will Wetzel
Researcher biochemist woman analyzing virus expertise working on coronavirus treatment in microbiology hospital laboratory. Chemist scientist typing biomedical research. Biochemistry examination. | Image Credit: © DC Studio - stock.adobe.com
September 15th 2025

Monitoring the Kinetic Changes in Drugs and Metabolites Using SERS

Will Wetzel
Workers examining and sorting fresh carrots on a conveyor system in a processing facility during daylight hours | Image Credit: © Vital - stock.adobe.com
September 15th 2025

Examining the Application of Terahertz Metamaterials for Food Safety Testing

Will Wetzel
A doctor's or researcher's hand holding a Petri dish with a culture of bacteria on which an antibiotic disc test is performed. Antimicrobial resistance concept. | Image Credit: © TopMicrobialStock - stock.adobe.com
September 15th 2025

New Spectroscopic Approach Explores How Antibiotics Alter E. coli at the Molecular Level

Will Wetzel
Coronavirus Covid-19 macro simulation. | Image Credit: © oz - stock.adobe.com
September 15th 2025

Using UV-vis Spectroscopy for Fast, Affordable Diagnosis of Post-Covid Conditions

Will Wetzel
Advanced spectroscopy detects even the trickiest pesticide chemical contamination © Atchariya63 -chronicles-stock.adobe.com
September 15th 2025

Advanced Spectroscopy Uncovers Hidden Pesticide Contaminants with Precision

Jerome Workman, Jr.
About
Advertise
Author Guidelines
Contact Us
Editorial Advisory Board
Ethics Statement
Do Not Sell My Personal Info
Permissions
Privacy Policy
Subscriptions
Terms and Conditions
Contact Info

259 Prospect Plains Rd, Bldg H,
Monroe, NJ 08831

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.