Simple blood test on a chip could help diagnose lung cancer

Researchers from Tel Aviv University have developed a novel blood test that could revolutionize the diagnosis of lung cancer. This innovative test, described in a study published in npj Precision Oncology, is a sequencing-free method that analyzes cell-free DNA light-pattern signatures to detect the presence of lung cancer cells in the bloodstream.

Unlike existing liquid biopsies, which rely on complex and expensive DNA sequencing, this new approach utilizes a light-emitting marker and a specially designed DNA chip to rapidly identify the unique chemical fingerprint associated with lung cancer cells. In a study involving 103 participants, including both lung cancer patients and healthy controls, the test demonstrated remarkable diagnostic accuracy, achieving a sensitivity of 93.1% and a specificity of 90.3% for stage 2–4 disease.

Not only does the test accurately identify lung cancer patients, but it can also distinguish between the two primary subtypes of lung cancer—adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma—based on distinct DNA signatures. Beyond diagnosis, the researchers found that the test's analysis of the chemical fingerprint changes in response to treatment.

In patients who responded to therapy, the fingerprint shifted towards a healthy profile, while no significant change was observed in non-responders. While these preliminary results warrant further validation through larger studies, the study's authors emphasize the significant advantages of this innovative test. Its simplicity, low cost, and speed make it a promising tool that could complement traditional imaging methods, enable earlier diagnosis, and facilitate more effective monitoring of lung cancer treatment responses.

Lead researcher Prof. Yuval Ebenstein expressed his team's ambition to make cancer diagnosis more accessible and affordable, highlighting the potential of this technology to transform lung cancer screening and management.