Scientists at the American biotech company Novelna have made a ground-breaking discovery: they have developed a DNA test that can identify 18 distinct kinds of early-stage malignancies.
According to a study that was published in the BMJ Oncology journal, cancer protein signals may be sex-specific, meaning that separate tests may be required for men and women. This information was reported by the Daily Mail.
To gather blood plasma samples for the study, 440 patients with various cancers and 44 healthy volunteers provided samples.
It has been determined which proteins exhibit cancerous tendencies and where in the body they arise.
For additional research, greater sample size tests must be carried out.
Through the analysis of blood plasma proteins, scientists were able to distinguish between distinct cancer cells and healthy cells with a 99 % accuracy rate.
The benefits of this discovery may lead to a revision of screening recommendations that includes the plasma test as a required part of regular examinations.
“This research could pave the way to a prosperous and efficient way to identify cancers earlier when they are easier to treat,” said Dr. Anguraj Sadanandam, director of the Institute of Cancer discovery’s Centre for Global Oncology.
