We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Blood Test Lead to Earlier Detection of Gastrointestinal Cancers

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 13 Feb 2020
Print article
Image: Histopathology of early gastric cancer, an intramucosal adenocarcinoma. A blood test used in a targeted methylation (TM) sequencing assay may help detect hard-to-detect gastrointestinal cancers in asymptomatic individuals (Photo courtesy of Andrey Bychkov, MD, PhD).
Image: Histopathology of early gastric cancer, an intramucosal adenocarcinoma. A blood test used in a targeted methylation (TM) sequencing assay may help detect hard-to-detect gastrointestinal cancers in asymptomatic individuals (Photo courtesy of Andrey Bychkov, MD, PhD).
Gastrointestinal cancer refers to malignant conditions of the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) and accessory organs of digestion, including the esophagus, stomach, biliary system, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus.

Cancers of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, bile duct, colon and rectum will account for 17% of incident cancer diagnoses and 26% of cancer-related deaths in the USA in 2019. An investigational blood-based assay demonstrated efficacy in detecting multiple types of cancer, including gastrointestinal cancers, at various stages and can also predict the tissue of origin (TOO) of these and other cancers types.

A team of scientists led by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, MA, USA) carried out a prospective, multicenter, observational, case-control study that included 273 cancer-free participants and 654 patients with more than 20 tumor types at all stages, including 67 esophageal/stomach, 95 pancreatic/gallbladder/extrahepatic bile duct, 29 liver/intrahepatic bile duct and 121 colon/rectal cancers. Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was subjected to a cross-validated targeted methylation (TM) sequencing assay (Grail Inc., Menlo Park, CA, USA) Methylation fragments were combined across targeted genomic regions and assigned a probability of cancer and a predicted TOO.

The team reported that with a specificity of greater than 99%, the blood-based assay demonstrated overall sensitivity of 82% for all gastrointestinal cancer types. They reported sensitivity of 72% for stage I to III disease and 96% for stage IV disease. The test showed accuracy for predicted TOO of 92% for all gastrointestinal cancers. Specifically, the assay demonstrated predicted TOO accuracy of 87% for esophageal/stomach cancers (86% stage I to stage III; 89% stage IV), 92% for pancreatic/gallbladder/extrahepatic bile duct cancers (94% stage I-III; 91% stage IV), 78% for liver/intrahepatic bile duct cancers (85% stage I-III 70% stage IV); and 98% for colon/rectal cancers (96% stage I-III; 100% stage IV).

Brian M. Wolpin, MD, MPH, an Oncologist and lead author of the study, said, “The potential of this test is to diagnose cancer earlier, when it is more treatable. The ability to do that across cancer types could be quite valuable. Many of the cancer types that this test detects do not currently have screening tests that allow earlier cancer detection before the cancers cause symptoms.” The study was presented at the Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium on January 23, 2020 in San Francisco, CA, USA.

Related Links:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Grail Inc


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Specimen Collection & Transport
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
TORCH Panel Rapid Test
Rapid TORCH Panel Test

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.