Single blood test that screens for several cancers steps closer

Date: Nov-03-2014 Scientists who are working to develop a test that can screen for multiple

cancer types from a single blood sample have taken a step closer to their goal. A new

study describes how they systematically reviewed

thousands of scientific papers and identified hundreds of compounds in the blood of

cancer patients.

All cancers produce compounds that end up in the bloodstream, so it is feasible

that such blood markers could form the basis of a general screening test for many

different forms of cancer.

The study is a comprehensive review of the current evidence in order to identify

cancer-specific blood markers for further clinical development.

All cancers produce compounds that end up in the bloodstream, so it is feasible

that such blood markers could form the basis of a general screening test for many

different forms of cancer.

Ian Cree, a professor of pathology at the University of Warwick Medical School in

the UK and lead author of the study, says the work he and the other members of the UK Early Cancer Detection Consortium carried out "is a new approach to early detection

and is the first time such a systematic review has been done."

"A single blood-based screening test would be a game changer for early detection of

cancer, which could help make it a curable disease for many more patients," he

adds.

The Cancer Research UK-funded study was presented on Sunday at the National Cancer

Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference, which is taking place November 2nd-5th, 2014,

in Liverpool, UK.

The researchers sought to answer the question: "What biomarkers exist that could be

used to develop a general cancer screening assay from blood sampling and what is their

state of development?"

Altogether, they reviewed 19,000 scientific papers and identified more than 800

markers in the blood of cancer patients.

Deciding which biomarkers work best for cancer detection

Prof. Cree says they believe they have "identified all the relevant biomarkers; the

next step is working out which ones work the best for spotting cancers."

The evidence they collected will help them "prepare for the next stage of the blood

test development as it moves forward into clinical laboratory based tests," note the

researchers.

Sara Hiom, director of early diagnosis at Cancer Research UK, describes the study

as "an innovative and promising new approach," adding:

"And although in its early stages, it shows how our increased

understanding of cancers' 'markers' and new technologies are combining to offer new

opportunities to detect cancer sooner."

Cancer cells often start shedding blood markers long before many of the signs and

symptoms of tumors begin to emerge.

Earlier diagnosis generally means treatment is more effective, which, in turn,

improves survival.

"Our goal over the next 20 years is that 3 in 4 cancer patients will survive

at least 10 years after their diagnosis," says Hiom.

Medical News Today recently learned how researchers from the Indiana

University School of Medicine have discovered biomarkers that could be used in a blood

test to screen people at higher risk of pancreatic

cancer - a disease that currently has a very poor survival rate because it is

rarely spotted before the cancer has started spreading.

Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

Not to be reproduced without permission.

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Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.