2023-11-12 16:28:53
Japanese researchers announced a reliable marker for early detection of the risk of stomach cancer accurately.
They explained that the marker is a protein that can be easily detected through blood tests, according to what the Medical Express website published on Saturday, citing the journal Scientific Reports.
Digestive system cancers, such as cancer of the esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, liver, and pancreas, are often discovered too late, making it impossible to treat effectively, according to the study.
For stomach cancer, giving treatment at an early stage achieves better results and increases the survival rate.
Currently, blood tests are performed to detect cancers, such as stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, through tumor markers, such as a protein called “CEA,” which is usually produced in the large intestine, and another protein called “CA19-9,” which is usually produced in the pancreas. However, these tumor markers do not always accurately detect all types of cancer.
To improve the accuracy of the results, the team worked to identify other proteins, studied proteins secreted by cancer cells, and identified a protein called “SDF-4” that is normally produced in stomach tissue.
They conducted their study on 582 people with gastrointestinal cancers, including stomach cancer, in addition to 80 healthy volunteers.
After analyzing blood samples taken from participants, the team discovered that this marker indicates the presence of a tumor, and doctors can use it to find, diagnose, monitor and treat cancer.
Regarding the accuracy of the test, they found that its sensitivity (the ability to correctly identify those infected with the disease) is 89 percent, and its specificity (the ability to correctly identify those who do not have the disease) is 99 percent. This exceeds the results of traditional tumor tests, according to their results.
When they measured the concentration of the SDF-4 protein in blood samples from cancer patients and healthy individuals, they found consistently high levels in cancer samples, including those from patients with stomach, esophageal, colorectal, pancreas, breast, and liver cancer.
The team also found the protein at high levels even in patients with stage I stomach cancer, suggesting that it may be able to detect cancer early before symptoms appear.
For his part, the lead researcher in the study at the Faculty of Medicine at Nagoya University in Japan, Dr. Takahiro Shinozuka, says that the new marker is superior to traditional tumor markers as a diagnostic marker in two ways: the first is that it can diagnose cancer at an early stage, and the second is that it can be used as a diagnostic marker for different types of cancer.
He added: “We are working with a company to develop measuring devices that can be used to screen for cancer. If these efforts are successful, we hope to introduce SDF-4 into actual cancer screening; Which helps in early detection.”
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