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 recent clinical study revealed that a novel blood test can accurately detect lung cancer with nearly 93% precision, potentially eliminating the need for expensive genetic sequencing. Led by Dr. Abd Agbaria, head of Oncology at Bnai Zion Medical Center, the research, conducted in collaboration with Tel Aviv University, involved 103 participants and was published in npj Precision Oncology.
The test employs a specialized chip and fluorescence analysis to scrutinize fragments of circulating tumor DNA in the blood for specific methylation patterns. Methylation, an alteration where hydrogen and carbon atoms are added to DNA, can suppress essential gene expression and may indicate the presence of cancerous cells. By identifying these methylation patterns, healthcare professionals can pinpoint cancerous cells and determine the type of malignancy.
The study showed the test had a sensitivity of 93.1% and specificity of 90.3% among patients with stage 2 to stage 4 lung cancer. Additionally, the test could differentiate between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Dr. Agbaria highlighted the importance of early diagnosis for lung cancer, as the timing of detection significantly impacts treatment and potential cure rates.
He expressed the goal of developing a straightforward, affordable, and widely available diagnostic tool that can identify the disease at a stage when intervention remains effective. However, before widespread adoption, further testing is necessary. An ongoing large-scale trial is taking place at several medical centers in Israel and Europe.
The study, a collaborative effort between researchers from Tel Aviv University, JaxBio Technologies, Bnai Zion Medical Center, and Sheba Medical Center, marks a step towards enhancing lung cancer detection and treatment options.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
