Blood Test Appears Promising for Lung Cancer Detection
At the most recent meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), researchers from the University Clinic Cologne presented preliminary data that indicates a simple blood test (pdf) may be able to detect the presence of lung cancer while disease is still in its earliest stages.
The blood test is based on an RNA fingerprint. The test examines a genetic profile. A preliminary assessment was completed in a small cohort and validated in a second group. The blood test was then assessed in a group of 25,000 patients
Specimens from patients with lung cancer who participated in the European Prospective Investigation on Cancer and Nutrition were considered. All of those developed disease within two years of entering the study. Blood specimens were compared from such patients to a cohort of healthy nonsmokers. Two different array platforms were employed to assess results.
The early data presented indicates that the test is both sensitive and specific for lung cancer in patients who smoke. Smokers are more likely to develop this type of malignancy. Sensitivity of the new biomarker test was documented at 75 percent and specificity was 85 percent.Most patients diagnosed with lung cancer are identified late in the course of disease. This limits the ability to effectively treat disease and, instead, many patients undergo palliative rather than curative treatment.
June 3, 2008 Related topics: Pulmonary, New Technology & Innovation, Conferences & Events, Diagnostic, Hematology & Oncology