Detecting cancer through a blood test: where is the science?

2024-11-10 23:00:00

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Diagnosing cancer through a blood test is a complex challenge that is at the heart of medical research. Where is the science? What cancers can be detected through a blood test?

See also the article: What are the chances of having cancer?

Can high blood values ​​indicate cancer?

See also the article: Research: colon cancer soon to be detected thanks to a simple blood test?

Galleri test: a blood test for early detection of 50 types of cancer

The Galleri test is a promising blood test that can detect more than 50 different types of cancer at an early stage. The test can detect DNA fragments from tumor cells in the blood. This process is known as detection of circulating tumor DNA (cDNA). This approach is particularly useful for detecting difficult-to-detect cancers, such as ovarian or pancreatic cancer, whose symptoms often do not appear until a late stage.

See also the article: Pancreatic cancer: still difficult to recognize due to general symptoms

However, the Galleri test is still in the experimental stage. Follow-up studies are needed to confirm the reliability and cost-effectiveness of these methods.

See also the article: Cancer: a blood test detects a large number of cancers before the first symptoms

New advances: liquid biopsy

A promising development is “liquid biopsy”. This technique makes it possible to detect tumor exosomes or circulating tumor DNA (cDNA) in the blood. Currently, liquid biopsies are mainly used to follow already diagnosed patients to see how the cancer responds to treatment or to detect early signs of disease recurrence. However, research suggests that this technique could be used in the future for early detection of cancer in healthy people, which could revolutionize cancer diagnosis.

See also the article: Early detection: for which types of cancer?

Although a blood test can provide a lot of useful information, it still has limitations. Many detected biomarkers are not sufficiently specific to cancer and may also increase in other diseases, such as inflammation or infection. In addition, the number of circulating tumor cells or ctDNA is sometimes too low to be detected at an early stage. Therefore, additional tests, such as imaging (CT, MRI) or traditional tissue biopsy, are still necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Conclusion: science continues its efforts, but for the moment, a combined approach by blood test and imaging therefore remains essential for a reliable diagnosis of cancer.

See also the article: What are the warning symptoms of cancer?

Sources :
https://www.news-medical.net
https://grail.com
https://www.kanker.nl
https://www.allesoverkanker.be

Last updated: November 2024

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**Interview with Dr. Emily ⁤Richards, Oncologist and Cancer⁤ Research Specialist**

**Interviewer:** Thank ⁤you for joining us today,⁣ Dr. Richards. Cancer diagnosis through blood tests has garnered much attention lately. Can you explain what makes this approach so complex?

**Dr. Richards:** Absolutely. Diagnosing cancer through a blood test is challenging primarily because of​ the need for specificity. Although certain biomarkers can be present ‍in cancer patients, they can also appear in individuals with other conditions, like infections or inflammatory diseases. This lack of specificity ⁢complicates the diagnostic process.

**Interviewer:** Interesting. There’s been talk about the Galleri test, which claims‍ to detect over‍ 50 types ‌of cancer through a simple blood draw. Can you⁤ shed some light on how ‍this ‍test works?

**Dr. Richards:** The Galleri test detects circulating tumor DNA, or ‌ctDNA, in the blood, which is essentially fragments of DNA that are⁢ shed⁢ by​ tumors. This ‍test has the potential ‍to identify cancers ‌that are difficult to detect early, such as ovarian or pancreatic cancer. However, it’s important ​to note that the test ⁤is still in the⁣ experimental⁢ phase, and we need⁤ more ‌studies to establish its reliability and effectiveness.

**Interviewer:** ⁣What about the concept of a liquid biopsy? How does it ‌differ from traditional biopsies, and what is its potential?

**Dr. Richards:** ⁤Liquid biopsies are a really‌ exciting advancement.⁣ They ⁤analyze substances like tumor exosomes or ctDNA found in ⁢the blood rather than requiring a tissue sample. Currently, they’re mainly used for monitoring patients who have already been diagnosed. However, researchers believe that in the future, liquid ​biopsies‍ could also play a crucial role in the‌ early detection of cancer in individuals who are otherwise healthy, which could dramatically change how⁢ we⁤ detect and treat cancer.

**Interviewer:** It ⁣sounds promising, but are there still limitations to relying solely on blood⁢ tests for⁢ cancer diagnosis?

**Dr. Richards:** Yes, there are significant limitations. While blood tests provide valuable⁤ information, they often need to be supplemented ​with imaging studies or traditional biopsies for accurate confirmation of a diagnosis. The number of circulating tumor cells can be too low to detect in early-stage cancer, so integrating multiple diagnostic methods remains‌ essential.

**Interviewer:** Thank you for clarifying that, Dr. ​Richards. As‍ research continues to evolve, what do you see as the next steps in improving cancer diagnosis through blood tests?

**Dr. Richards:** Continued research⁤ is⁤ vital, especially in identifying more specific‍ biomarkers and enhancing the sensitivity of tests like ‌the‍ Galleri and liquid biopsies. We also need to conduct extensive follow-up studies to understand ​how these tests can fit into our existing diagnostic framework ⁢effectively. Science is making strides, but a multi-faceted approach ​will always be crucial⁣ in diagnosing cancer accurately.

**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Richards, for ‌your insights ⁢into this incredibly important topic. We appreciate ⁣your time.

**Dr. ⁢Richards:** Thank you for having me.‍ It’s always ⁢a pleasure​ to discuss advancements in cancer research.