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

Download Mobile App




Methylation-Based Liquid Biopsy Test Detects Liver Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 06 Dec 2018
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents about 75% of liver cancers in the USA and already has well-established screening criteria focused largely on individuals with cirrhosis, who are screened every six months using ultrasound with or without blood testing for alpha- fetoprotein, according to guidelines.

A simple blood test can confirm the presence of cancer, as early as stage 1 gives measurable information about cancer, has been evaluated. More...
The test combines advanced sequencing techniques to confirm the presence of multiple cancer types and provides a highly accurate tool for physicians to gain insight into their patients’ health, at the time of testing.

Scientists at the Laboratory for Advanced Medicine (Irvine, CA, USA) tested samples from 130 subjects in total, including 60 HCC patients (34 with stage III, 10 with stage II, nine with stage I, and seven with stage IV), 30 control subjects without liver disease, 10 controls with benign liver disease, and another 30 individuals diagnosed with breast, colorectal, or lung cancer.

The investigators used the methylation-based liquid biopsy test IvyGene, which has high specificity and sensitivity for detecting liver cancer. Overall, the test correctly classified 57 of the 60 samples drawn from subjects with hepatocellular carcinoma, for an overall calculated sensitivity of 95%, ranging from 89% in the stage I subset to 100% in stage IV patients. One stage I patient and two stage III patients were called negative. The test correctly identified 29 of the 30 samples drawn from subjects without liver disease and all 10 samples from benign liver disease patients, for a combined specificity of 97.5%.

The test seems to have lower specificity in terms of distinguishing liver cancer from other tumors, though. Of the samples drawn from subjects with cancer other than liver cancer, 90% of the breast cancer samples, 80% of the colorectal cancer samples, and 90% of the lung cancer samples were correctly identified as not liver cancer, which is 87% specificity on average. The study was presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer's annual meeting held November 7-11, 2018, in Washington, DC, USA.

Related Links:
Laboratory for Advanced Medicine


New
Gold Member
Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile pHOx
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Alcohol Testing Device
Dräger Alcotest 7000
New
Automated Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Analyzer
MS-i3080
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

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The ONC IN-CYT platform leverages cross indication biomarker cyto-signatures (Photo courtesy of OraLiva)

AI-Powered Cytology Tool Detects Early Signs of Oral Cancer

Each year, 54,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer, yet only 28% of cases are identified at an early stage, when the five-year survival rate exceeds 85%. Most diagnoses occur in later stages, when... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The microfluidic device for passive separation of platelet-rich plasma from whole blood (Photo courtesy of University of the Basque Country)

Portable and Disposable Device Obtains Platelet-Rich Plasma Without Complex Equipment

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plays a crucial role in regenerative medicine due to its ability to accelerate healing and repair tissue. However, obtaining PRP traditionally requires expensive centrifugation... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: PD-1 protein blockade is the standard treatment for advanced melanoma among the different types of immunotherapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Precision Tool Predicts Immunotherapy Treatment Failure in Melanoma Patients

Melanoma, though accounting for only about 4% of skin tumors, is the deadliest form of skin cancer due to its high potential to metastasize. While immunotherapy, especially PD-1 protein blockade, has revolutionized... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.