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 hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




New Liquid Biopsy Approach 30% More Sensitive in Detecting Tumor DNA in Blood

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 18 May 2023

Pancreatic cancer ranks as the seventh most common cause of cancer-related deaths globally. More...

Despite a rise in its occurrence, there is a significant deficit in effective treatment options. This leads to a bleak outlook for those diagnosed with this cancer type, with roughly 70% succumbing to the disease within a year following diagnosis. Therefore, understanding the development and diverse nature of pancreatic cancer at the cellular level is vital for pinpointing potential treatment targets. Liquid biopsy is gaining prominence as a non-invasive technique for detecting and monitoring circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the bloodstream, providing valuable information on cancer growth patterns and intra-tumor heterogeneity, which can cause resistance to cancer drugs. A challenge with liquid biopsy, however, is the limited sensitivity of current methods for detecting tumors that do not release substantial DNA into the blood, such as pancreatic cancer. Now, researchers have developed a novel ctDNA-based approach that identifies subclonal copy number alterations in the evolution of pancreatic cancer. This new method, known as ACT-Discover – Aneuploidy in Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA), has demonstrated 30% greater sensitivity than conventional methods in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Researchers at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology’s (VHIO, Barcelona, Spain) incorporated a comprehensive analysis of blood samples, including both germinal DNA and tumor DNA data to develop the innovative liquid biopsy technique. This method can identify ctDNA in an additional 30% of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, compared to existing techniques. With a focus on improving pancreatic cancer detection, the researchers aimed to design a more sensitive liquid biopsy approach to detect ctDNA in blood and assess genomic and molecular attributes of tumors as they evolve. In a study of 24 patients with end-stage pancreatic cancer, the ACT-Discover technique was employed to track the disease's progression. The results demonstrated that the comprehensive new liquid biopsy method can identify ctDNA in an additional 30% of patients when compared to traditional liquid biopsy methods.

“Being able to access genetic and genomic insights in a non-invasive way, and to do so in series throughout the course of disease, provides valuable information to deliver on the true promise of precision cancer medicine in an increasing number of tumor types, including pancreatic cancer,” said co-corresponding author Manuel Hidalgo.

“Our results underpin the importance of sampling approaches over time and across space in cancer as well as ctDNA-based approaches in tracking tumor evolution. Findings also highlight intra-tumor heterogeneity within advanced pancreatic cancer,” said Rodrigo A. Toledo, co-corresponding author of this present study.

Related Links:
VHIO 


Gold Member
Flocked Fiber Swabs
Puritan® Patented HydraFlock®
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Silver Member
Quality Control Material
Multichem ID-B
New
Automatic Hematology Analyzer
LABAS F9000
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could replace surgical biopsies for early detecion of heart transplant rejection (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients

Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more

Pathology

view channel
These images illustrate how precision oncology Organ Chips recapitulate individual patients’ responses to chemotherapy (Photo courtesy of Wyss Institute at Harvard University)

Cancer Chip Accurately Predicts Patient-Specific Chemotherapy Response

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), one of the two primary types of esophageal cancer, ranks as the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and currently lacks effective targeted therapies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.