New blood tests capable of detecting multiple cancers simultaneously show promise for earlier diagnosis and improved cancer care, but currently face challenges such as high false-positive rates, lack of standardization, and integration into clinical practice. Experts believe these tests will improve over time and could revolutionize cancer diagnostics, though more research and validation are needed.
A new blood test called HPV-DeepSeek, developed by Mass General Brigham, can detect HPV-associated head and neck cancer up to 10 years before clinical diagnosis with 99% accuracy, using advanced genome sequencing and machine learning to identify circulating tumor DNA in blood samples.
A new blood test called HPV-DeepSeek can detect HPV-related head and neck cancers up to 10 years before symptoms appear, potentially enabling earlier treatment and better outcomes.
A man with an incurable brain tumor has donated his tears to a pioneering study exploring tear fluid as a non-invasive method for early brain cancer detection, potentially leading to faster diagnoses and improved outcomes.
A new blood test called HPV-DeepSeek can detect HPV-associated head and neck cancers up to 10 years before symptoms appear, potentially enabling earlier treatment and better outcomes.
Scientists highlight that small health issues like persistent cough, breathlessness, and unexplained weight loss can be early signs of lung cancer. NHS England is introducing a groundbreaking liquid biopsy blood test for faster, personalized cancer diagnosis, initially for lung and breast cancers, which could significantly improve early detection and treatment outcomes.
NHS England is pioneering the global rollout of a revolutionary blood test called liquid biopsy for lung and breast cancer patients, enabling faster, more targeted treatment and potentially saving up to £11 million annually, while improving patient outcomes and reducing invasive procedures.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a new method called "catch and display for liquid biopsy" (CAD-LB) that uses ultrathin membranes to capture extracellular vesicles (EVs) from a single drop of blood. This method simplifies the process of identifying EVs, which carry important biomarkers, making it faster and more cost-effective for cancer diagnosis and monitoring treatment progress. The technique also shows potential for detecting immune proteins, aiding in the selection of personalized immunotherapies.
A new ultra-sensitive blood test developed by researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research in London can predict the recurrence of breast cancer years before it appears on scans, with 100% accuracy. The test detects circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) using whole genome sequencing, identifying up to 1,800 mutations. This breakthrough could enable earlier treatment and better long-term monitoring for patients at high risk of relapse.
A new blood test using whole genome sequencing can predict the risk of breast cancer returning up to three years before tumors appear on scans. This breakthrough, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, could help identify which women need preventive therapy and improve early treatment, significantly increasing the chances of beating the disease. Researchers found the test to be highly sensitive, accurately predicting relapse in all trial patients who later experienced recurrence.
A new ultra-sensitive blood test can predict the return of breast cancer up to three and a half years before it shows up on scans, allowing for earlier treatment and potentially saving many lives. The test, developed by researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, detects circulating tumor DNA and has shown 100% accuracy in trials. This advancement could significantly improve post-treatment monitoring and outcomes for breast cancer patients.
Pancreatic cancer, the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the US, lacks a standard early detection test, but researchers are exploring blood-based liquid biopsy tests to spot early cases. A study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research detailed a liquid biopsy test that detected 97% of stage I and II pancreatic cancers in volunteers. While there's excitement about the potential of these tests, more research is needed before they can be used clinically. Early detection could significantly improve survival rates for pancreatic cancer, which is often diagnosed at advanced stages, and developing a reliable early detection test could dramatically change the landscape for patients.
Breast milk from breast cancer patients has been found to contain circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) that can be detected through a liquid biopsy, according to a study published in Cancer Discovery. Researchers at the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain, analyzed breast milk samples from breast cancer patients and found tumor mutations in 87% of cases, compared to only 8% in blood samples. The team has developed a genomic panel using next-generation sequencing that shows promise for early detection of breast cancer in women under 45 years old. The researchers plan to validate the breast milk liquid biopsy as a screening method in a larger clinical trial.
The use of liquid biopsy, specifically ctDNA testing, for cancer surveillance has created a new category of patients known as "patients-in-waiting." These are individuals who have no radiologic evidence of disease but have positive results on ctDNA tests, indicating minimal residual disease (MRD). The uncertainty and anxiety that come with being a patient-in-waiting can be comparable to those experienced by patients with active disease. While ctDNA testing offers opportunities for early detection and personalized treatment, it also brings about ambiguous losses and alters the lives of patients and their caregivers. As these technologies advance, it is crucial to acknowledge both the triumphs and the challenges they present in cancer management.
Liquid biopsy startup AOA Dx has raised $17 million to support the development of its diagnostic test for ovarian cancer, which is based on its GlycoLocate platform. The platform is designed to detect elevated levels of gangliosides, cell signaling molecules often seen in cancer patients. AOA Dx has started a prospective study called OVERT to investigate its first diagnostic test, AKRIVIS GD, for ovarian cancer.
