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
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Groundbreaking Test Monitors Radiation Therapy Toxicity in Cancer Patients

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 18 Mar 2024
Print article
Image: The DiaCarta RadTox Test is intended to offer an early assessment of patient response to treatment (Photo courtesy of DiaCarta)
Image: The DiaCarta RadTox Test is intended to offer an early assessment of patient response to treatment (Photo courtesy of DiaCarta)

The concentration of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in the bloodstream is an important indicator that can help track how well cancer treatments are working. Before starting treatment, measuring cfDNA levels can give doctors a snapshot of the extent of the cancer’s spread in the body. High levels of cfDNA often mean the cancer is widespread or aggressive. As treatment goes on, doctors can keep an eye on cfDNA levels to see if the treatment is effective. A drop in cfDNA levels could mean the treatment is working and the tumor is getting smaller. But if cfDNA levels remain unchanged or rise, it might mean the treatment isn't working, and the cancer is still growing or has become resistant to treatment. Now, a simple blood test monitors this liquid biomarker in real time to track how well a cancer treatment is working.

DiaCarta’s (Pleasanton, CA, USA) RadTox Test is a liquid biopsy test designed to monitor tumor response and progression by observing changes in cfDNA levels. This test is crucial for determining early on if a patient's treatment plan is effective, helping avoid unnecessary side effects. The RadTox Test uses DiaCarta's unique QuantiDNA Direct cfDNA Test technology to measure cfDNA concentrations in a blood sample without the need for sample purification. This method allows doctors to quickly assess how well a treatment is working. With this information, doctors can adjust treatments in a more accurately and timely manner than before.

The RadTox Test is particularly useful during various treatments, including radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other cancer therapies, monitoring cfDNA levels throughout the entire course of treatment. This provides early insights into how the cancer is responding to treatment, well before imaging tests might show changes, often three months after therapy starts. This timely feedback is crucial for making informed treatment decisions. Unlike traditional molecular residual disease (MRD) monitoring that only look for specific cancer mutations after treatment, the RadTox Test offers a broader perspective by tracking overall cfDNA changes. This gives doctors a clearer understanding of the treatment's impact, helping tailor care to each patient's needs.

"With just 10 microliters of plasma, our test has generated significant clinical data across a broad spectrum of cancer treatments," explained Dr. Aiguo (Adam) Zhang, President, and CEO of DiaCarta. "Our initial findings across 22 tumor types with over 250,000 samples performed globally demonstrate the immense potential of this pan-cancer monitoring test."

New
Platinum Member
Flu SARS-CoV-2 Combo Test
OSOM® Flu SARS-CoV-2 Combo Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
All-in-one Molecular Diagnosis System
Panall 8000

Print article
77 ELEKTRONIKA

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: PhD student and first author Tarek Eissa has analyzed thousands of molecular fingerprints (Photo courtesy of Thorsten Naeser / MPQ / Attoworld)

Screening Tool Detects Multiple Health Conditions from Single Blood Drop

Infrared spectroscopy, a method using infrared light to study the molecular composition of substances, has been a foundational tool in chemistry for decades, functioning similarly to a molecular fingerprinting... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Researchers have found the first evidence of testing for the alpha-synuclein protein in blood samples via seed amplification assay (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test to Detect Alpha-Synuclein Protein Could Revolutionize Parkinson's Disease Diagnostics

Currently, Parkinson's disease (PD) is identified through clinical diagnosis, typically at a later stage in the disease's progression. There is a pressing need for an objective and quantifiable biomarker... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Truvian diagnostic platform combines clinical chemistry, immunoassay and hematology testing in a single run (Photo courtesy of Truvian Health)

Automated Benchtop System to Bring Blood Testing To Anyone, Anywhere

Almost all medical decisions are dependent upon laboratory test results, which are essential for disease prevention and the management of chronic illnesses. However, routine blood testing remains limited worldwide.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Ultra-Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (uRAST) revolutionizing traditional antibiotic susceptibility testing (Photo courtesy of Seoul National University)

Ultra-Rapid Culture-Free Sepsis Test Reduces Testing Time from Days to Hours

Sepsis, a critical emergency condition, results from an overactive inflammatory response to pathogens like bacteria or fungi in the blood, leading to organ damage and the possibility of sudden death.... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The AI model can distinguish different stages of DCIS from inexpensive and readily available breast tissue images (Photo courtesy of David A. Litman/Shutterstock)

AI Model Identifies Breast Tumor Stages Likely To Progress to Invasive Cancer

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a non-invasive type of tumor that can sometimes progress to a more lethal form of breast cancer and represents about 25% of all breast cancer cases. Between 30% and 50%... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: Beckman Coulter will utilize the ALZpath pTau217 antibody to detect key biomarker for Alzheimer\'s disease on its DxI 9000 immunoassay analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter Licenses Alzpath's Proprietary P-tau 217 Antibody to Develop Alzheimer's Blood Test

Cognitive assessments have traditionally been the primary method for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, but this approach has its limitations as symptoms become apparent only after significant brain changes... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.