Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Nasal Swab Test Improves Lung Cancer Risk Assessment for Patients with Lung Nodules

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 01 Dec 2023

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related deaths globally. More...

Often, lung nodules, which can be early signs of lung cancer, are detected incidentally during computed tomography (CT) scans conducted for unrelated reasons. Although the majority of these nodules are benign, their discovery can lead to unnecessary diagnostic follow-ups and cause anxiety for patients. Conversely, early identification of malignant nodules can improve patient outcomes significantly. Now, a simple, noninvasive tool can evaluate lung cancer risk in individuals with lung nodules identified on CT scans.

The Percepta Nasal Swab test, developed by Veracyte, is a genomic test that can be easily conducted in a physician's office. The test was developed using RNA whole-transcriptome sequencing combined with machine-learning techniques. It is based on the principle of "field of injury" science, which detects genomic changes linked to lung cancer in the nasal passage's epithelial cells of smokers. The Percepta Nasal Swab test is specifically designed for patients who are current or former smokers and have lung nodules found in CT scans. The test categorizes lung cancer risk into high, moderate, or low levels, aiding physicians in making informed decisions about whether to pursue further lung cancer investigations or to monitor the patient with imaging.

The latest clinical validation data published by Veracyte demonstrates that the Percepta Nasal Swab test accurately identifies lung cancer risk in current or former smokers with lung nodules. This breakthrough genomic test could help doctors guide their clinical decisions, potentially avoiding unnecessary invasive tests or expediting treatment where needed. In the study, researchers used the Percepta Nasal Swab test, initially trained on a group of 1,120 patients with either malignant or benign lung nodules, to analyze nasal samples from an independent group of 312 patients monitored for at least a year or until a definitive diagnosis was reached.

The findings demonstrated that the test accurately identified patients with low-risk nodules (97% sensitivity, 40% specificity), resulting in a 98% negative predictive value in a population with a 25% cancer prevalence. This suggests that the test could help avoid invasive procedures for patients with benign nodules, with minimal risk of missing a cancer diagnosis. Similarly, the test proved highly effective in identifying high-risk nodules (92% specificity, 57% sensitivity), yielding a 70% positive predictive value in a similar population, thereby guiding patients toward further diagnostic procedures and timely treatment.

The Percepta Nasal Swab test showed high performance across various patient groups, including those with previous cancers, different lung cancer subtypes, varying nodule sizes, smoking histories, and lung cancer screening eligibility. This broad applicability highlights the test's potential clinical value across a diverse patient population. In contrast, existing physician risk calculators, which are typically tailored to specific patient groups, tend to have variable performance across different patient types.

“Physicians need an objective, accurate tool to help guide care for patients when a lung nodule is found on a CT scan,” said Bill Bulman, M.D., Veracyte’s medical director for Pulmonology. “Our findings reinforce the ability of the Percepta Nasal Swab test to improve risk assessment of lung nodules and help avoid unnecessary diagnostic procedures for those at low risk of cancer while supporting timely diagnosis and treatment for those with high risk of cancer.”

Related Links:
Veracyte 


Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
New
Autoimmune Liver Diseases Assay
Microblot-Array Liver Profile Kit
New
Silver Member
PCR Plates
Diamond Shell PCR Plates
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








Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The study highlights the potential of cCAFs as a biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis (H J Woo et al., Analytical Chemistry (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c02154)

Simultaneous Cell Isolation Technology Improves Cancer Diagnostic Accuracy

Accurate cancer diagnosis remains a challenge, as liquid biopsy techniques often fail to capture the complexity of tumor biology. Traditional systems for isolating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) vary in... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The VENTANA HER2 (4B5) test is now CE-IVDR approved (Photo courtesy of Roche)

Companion Diagnostic Test Identifies HER2-Ultralow Breast Cancer and Biliary Tract Cancer Patients

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Europe, with more than 564,000 new cases and 145,000 deaths annually. Metastatic breast cancer is rising in younger populations and remains the leading cause... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Conceptual design of the CORAL capsule for microbial sampling in the small intestine (H. Mohammed et al., Device (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.100904)

Coral-Inspired Capsule Samples Hidden Bacteria from Small Intestine

The gut microbiome has been linked to conditions ranging from immune disorders to mental health, yet conventional stool tests often fail to capture bacterial populations in the small intestine.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.