Cancer blood test

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Advances in Cancer Detection Through Blood Tests

Multi-Analyte Blood Tests for Early Cancer Detection

CancerSEEK: A Comprehensive Blood Test

CancerSEEK is a noninvasive blood test designed to detect eight common types of cancer by analyzing circulating protein biomarkers and tumor-specific mutations in cell-free DNA (cfDNA). In a study involving 1005 patients with nonmetastatic cancers and 850 healthy controls, CancerSEEK demonstrated a sensitivity range of 69% to 98% depending on the cancer type, and a specificity of over 99%. This test is particularly effective for cancers such as ovary, liver, stomach, pancreas, and esophagus, for which no standard screening tests exist for average-risk individuals.

PanSeer: Early Detection Before Symptoms

The PanSeer blood test, which focuses on circulating tumor DNA methylation, has shown the ability to detect five common types of cancer up to four years before conventional diagnosis. In a longitudinal study, PanSeer detected cancer in 95% of asymptomatic individuals who were later diagnosed, with a specificity of 96%. This early detection capability could significantly improve patient outcomes by identifying cancers at a more treatable stage.

Accuracy of Tumor Origin Detection

Tissue-of-Origin Prediction in MCED Tests

Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests that utilize cfDNA have shown promise in accurately predicting the tissue of origin (TOO) for various cancers. A meta-analysis of several studies revealed an overall accuracy of 79% for TOO prediction, with colorectal cancers showing the highest accuracy and liver & bile duct cancers the lowest . The accuracy of these predictions is crucial for guiding appropriate treatment and improving patient outcomes.

Specific Blood Markers for Colorectal Cancer

Full Blood Count (FBC) and Colorectal Cancer

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Full Blood Count (FBC) test identified several components, such as red blood cells, hemoglobin, and white blood cell count, that are associated with colorectal cancer diagnosis. Thirteen FBC-based prediction models were developed, with performance metrics ranging from 0.72 to 0.91 in terms of the c-statistic. These models show potential for early detection but require further validation.

Promising Blood Markers

Various blood markers have been studied for their diagnostic ability in colorectal cancer. Markers such as methylated SEPT9 DNA, SDC2 methylated DNA, and interleukin 8 have shown sensitivities ranging from 70% to 98% and specificities from 84% to 98.7%. However, the clinical applicability of these markers varies, with some showing great variability in sensitivity and specificity across different studies.

Combining Blood Tests with Imaging

Feasibility of Blood Tests with PET-CT

A large feasibility study evaluated the combination of a multicancer blood test with positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) imaging. This approach detected 26 cancers in a cohort of 10,006 women, with a specificity of 98.9% and a positive predictive value of 19.4% for the blood test alone, which increased to 99.6% and 28.3% respectively when combined with PET-CT . This combination not only improved detection rates but also helped localize the cancer, enabling surgical interventions with curative intent in some cases.

Conclusion

Blood tests for cancer detection, such as CancerSEEK and PanSeer, are showing significant promise in identifying cancers at an early, more treatable stage. The accuracy of tumor origin prediction and the integration of blood tests with imaging techniques like PET-CT further enhance the potential of these tests to improve cancer outcomes. However, continued research and validation are necessary to refine these methods and ensure their effectiveness across diverse populations and cancer types.