A simple blood test could detect multiple cancers and reveal where they started
UCLA researchers have created a blood test that can scan DNA signals for multiple cancers, liver diseases, and signs of organ damage—and even indicate where trouble may be developing. Early results suggest the inexpensive approach could bring medicine closer to a single blood test capable of catching a wide range of diseases before they become harder to treat.
A groundbreaking blood test developed by UCLA researchers could detect multiple types of cancer and reveal where they originated, according to early studies. The innovative approach, called MethylScan, analyzes fragments of DNA called cell-free DNA (cfDNA) that naturally circulate in the bloodstream. Unlike existing tests that focus on mutations in tumor DNA, MethylScan examines DNA methylation, chemical tags on DNA that reflect tissue health and can shift when cells become diseased or cancerous.
This method reduces the need for extensive sequencing and lowers costs while maintaining sensitivity. The researchers reduced background noise from normal blood cells by selectively cutting away unmethylated DNA fragments and creating a genome-wide hybridization panel to enrich methylated DNA from solid organs. In a study of 1,061 people with various cancers, liver diseases, and benign lung nodules, MethylScan achieved 98% specificity and accurately detected about 63% of cancers, including early-stage cases.
It also distinguished between different liver disease conditions, such as viral hepatitis and metabolic-associated liver disease, with 85% accuracy. The test's ability to pinpoint the tissue of origin could help guide further diagnostic procedures. While larger trials are needed to confirm these findings, MethylScan represents progress towards an affordable blood test capable of detecting multiple diseases earlier and providing more comprehensive health information.
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