New Blood Test Could Detect Pancreatic Cancer Early

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An international research team led by City of Hope, one of the largest specialised cancer research and treatment organisations in the US, has developed a new blood test that could detect pancreatic cancer at an early stage, when the disease is more treatable and potentially curable.

Pancreatic cancer remains highly deadly largely because doctors usually diagnose it at an advanced stage. It has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers, with only 14% of patients surviving five years after diagnosis. Around 90% of patients receive their diagnosis after the cancer has already reached an advanced stage and spread.

A major international study published in Nature Medicine describes a liquid biopsy called PANXEON, which showed high sensitivity in detecting pancreatic cancer and precancerous lesions.

The test takes a new approach to diagnosis by analysing a blood sample for three pancreatic cancer markers: circulating microRNAs, extracellular microRNAs and the protein CA19-9. It then uses artificial intelligence to combine the three measurements into a single score that estimates a patient’s risk.

Researchers tested the liquid biopsy on almost 1,800 patients in the US, Europe and Asia to determine whether promising results from earlier studies would also hold across different clinical settings and populations.

The blood test correctly detected stage 1 and stage 2 pancreatic cancer in 87% of cases. False-positive results stood at just 3% among low-risk groups and 16% among high-risk groups.

The test also detected high-grade dysplasia in more than 64% of cases. This advanced precancerous condition is often described as “stage 0” pancreatic cancer.

The finding could help doctors more accurately identify which pancreatic cysts require active monitoring or intervention before they progress to cancer.

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