Researchers at Johns Hopkins University identified genetic fragments associated with tumors in blood samples collected over three years before the official cancer diagnosis.
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The team led by Dr. Yuxuan Wang, an assistant oncology professor at the “Johns Hopkins” University, used advanced sequencing techniques to analyze blood samples within the Aric Study (Atherosclerosis Risk), a large program funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for researching cardiovascular risk factors.
“We were surprised how early the cancer associated mutations can be detected. A three-year window allows much earlier interventions, when tumors are probably at an early and potentially curable stage.”Wang said, writes News.
Methodology and results
The study included 26 participants who were diagnosed with cancer within six months after collecting blood samples and 26 control participants. At the time of harvesting, eight of the 52 participants had positive results in an early multi -cancer detection test (MCED). All eight were later diagnosed within four months.
For six of these eight patients, the researchers also had access to previously collected samples, 3.1 to 3.5 years before diagnosis. In four cases, tumor mutations have already been detectable from those older tests.
“This study demonstrates the potential of MCED tests to detect cancers in an extremely early stage and sets the sensitivity thresholds needed to validate these tests.”said Dr. Bert Vogelstein, co-director of Ludwig Center at Johns Hopkins and senior author of the study.
“Detecting cancers years before diagnosis can radically change the therapeutic perspectives”, added Dr. Nickolas Papadopoulos, main co-author of the study. However, he stressed the need for clear clinical monitoring protocols following such positive results.
