Blood test found to detect lung cancer with nearly 93% accuracy for average cost of $60 - study
The test involves using a dedicated chip and fluorescence analysis, in which fragments of cell-free DNA in the blood are examined for distinct methylation patterns.
A clinical study led by Dr. Abd Agbaria from Bnai Zion Medical Center has found that a new blood test can detect lung cancer with nearly 93% accuracy, potentially replacing the need for expensive genetic sequencing. The test, which uses a dedicated chip and fluorescence analysis to examine fragments of cell-free DNA in the blood for distinct methylation patterns, demonstrated a sensitivity of 93.1% and a specificity of 90.3% among patients with stage 2 to stage 4 cancer.
The test is able to distinguish between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and its developers emphasize its potential as an early diagnostic tool, as early detection of lung cancer is crucial for successful treatment and cure. However, before the test can be incorporated into regular use, broader testing is required, and a larger trial is currently underway in Israel and Europe.
Brief written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
