Groundbreaking Blood Test Shows Effectiveness in Detecting 18 Different Cancers

A groundbreaking blood test has emerged as a potential game-changer for the early detection of 18 different types of cancer.

According to a recent study led by Dr. Ashkan Afshin from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. 

The gender-specific liquid biopsy test analyzes protein biomarkers in the bloodstream, successfully detecting stage 1 cancers 93% of the time in men and 84% in women.

The study, involving 440 people diagnosed with 18 cancer types, revealed that the test’s analysis of 150 biomarkers enabled researchers to pinpoint the cancer’s origin in over 80% of cases. 

The proteome-based screening test demonstrated promising performance, potentially paving the way for a new generation of screening tools for early cancer detection.

Dr. Misagh Karimi, a medical oncologist at City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, highlighted the significance of early cancer detection, emphasizing the potential of identifying 18 different early-stage cancers. However, he stressed the need for further research in the evolving field of multi-cancer early detection tests.

The study established a panel of 10 sex-specific protein biomarkers from over 3,000 initially measured proteins associated with cancer. 

Advantages of the New Blood Test

While individually these biomarkers showed moderate accuracy, their collective analysis significantly increased accuracy, especially in detecting early-stage cancers.

The blood test demonstrated efficacy in detecting stage 1, 2, and 3 cancers, with a particular focus on early-stage detection. Identifying low levels of cancer biomarkers before tumors have a significant systemic impact could significantly enhance cancer treatment options.

Despite existing blood tests using genetic biomarkers to detect various cancers, they struggle with accuracy in detecting early-stage cancers and remain costly for routine screening. 

The new blood test offers a simpler, more cost-effective solution, potentially improving screening protocols, reducing radiation exposure, and eliminating invasive screening procedures.

Dr. Mary E. Edgerton, a professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, acknowledged the exciting step forward but emphasized the need for rigorous testing in larger populations to ensure sensitivity and specificity. 

The ultimate success of this revolutionary blood test depends on its proven effectiveness in offering accurate results across diverse demographics, avoiding the pitfalls of false discoveries that may overshadow actual disease cases.