Blood test could speed lymphoma diagnosis in resource-limited settings
For people with lymphoma, getting the right diagnosis can be a race against time.
Diagnosing lymphoma, a form of cancer affecting the lymphatic system, can be a challenging and time-consuming process for patients and healthcare providers alike. Symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, weight loss, and fatigue can be indicative of multiple conditions, including lymphoma, tuberculosis, and other illnesses. Current diagnostic procedures typically involve a surgical biopsy, followed by review by specialized doctors, which can take weeks or months, depending on the patient's location, and may delay necessary treatment while allowing the disease to progress.
To address this gap, researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, along with international collaborators, have developed a blood test called Access to Diagnosis using Liquid Biopsy (ADLiB). This new test leverages a simple blood sample, combined with machine learning algorithms, to identify patients most likely to have lymphoma by analyzing multiple genetic clues present in the blood.
Rather than replacing the biopsy, ADLiB serves to prioritize patients requiring urgent biopsies. The test's success was confirmed through early studies using laboratory samples and samples from patients with confirmed diagnoses, demonstrating high accuracy in detecting genetic changes associated with lymphoma. In a clinical trial involving 124 adults in Cape Town, South Africa, the ADLiB test correctly identified patients with lymphoma 95% of the time and distinguished them from those with noncancerous causes of enlarged lymph nodes with 92% accuracy.
While the blood test is not intended to replace the tissue biopsy, it can expedite the process for patients at high risk of lymphoma, potentially improving outcomes by enabling earlier treatment.
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