Researchers Develop Possible ‘Universal’ Blood Test for Cancer

the Cancer Therapy Advisor take:

According to a study published in The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, researchers have developed a blood test that could possibly allow doctors to rule out cancer for patients with certain symptoms that are indicative of cancer. This will allow patients to avoid the expense and stress of undergoing invasive procedures, such as biopsies and colonoscopies.

The blood test would also allow doctors to diagnosis more hard-to-find cancers, which will lead to patients being put on the corresponding treatment regimen more quickly. Diana Anderson and researchers at the University of Bradford developed this blood test that identifies cancer and pre-cancerous conditions in patients with colon cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma with a high accuracy rate.

The test, called Lymphocyte Genome Sensitivity (LGS) test, focuses on white blood cell DNA. The study measured how different intensities of ultraviolet light damaged white blood cell DNA, which allowed researchers to discern between white blood cells from healthy patients and white blood cells from patients with cancer or pre-cancerous conditions. Anderson said although more research needs to be done, the results the study has yielded are remarkable.

Currently, clinical trials are being held at Bradford Royal Infirmary to assess whether patients should or should not have to undergo a colonoscopy.