For the first time, researchers have shown that a blood test can predict recurrence in patients with early-stage breast cancer.
British researchers have developed a blood test capable of identifying women with breast cancer at high risk of relapsing months before tumors are visible on CT scan, reveals a study published this Thursday in the prestigious journal Science Translational Medicine.
This test, based on the detection of circulating tumor DNA (tcDNA) – DNA fragments from cancer cells – is therefore able to detect small residual tumors that persist after treatment.
Another advantage of this non-invasive test, also called liquid biopsy, is the possibility of analyzing the mutations carried by these DNA fragments. By drawing patients’ blood before, during, and then after treatment, doctors can monitor the progress of the cancer and adapt treatments accordingly.
Prediction 8 months in advance
For this work, researchers at the British National Cancer Institute drew blood and biopsied 55 patients with early-stage breast cancer. All of these women underwent chemotherapy, then surgery, and were potentially in remission.
After the surgery, then every six months for 2 years, the researchers took blood samples and analyzed the tcDNA genome. Among the 15 participants identified at high risk of relapse, the blood test accurately predicted the onset of cancer for 12 of them, 8 months before being seen on imaging.
The authors indicate that the test was able to detect all metastases except those located in the brain, suggesting that the blood-brain barrier prevents the passage of ctDNAs into the general circulation.
Personalized medicine
For several patients, genomic analysis revealed mutations involved in metastatic dissemination or resistance to treatment. Crucial information for setting up targeted therapies.
“We are entering the era of personalized medicine for cancer patients,” says Professor Paul Workman, Managing Director of the British National Cancer Institute. This test can help us stay ahead of the disease by tracking how it is progressing and selecting the treatment specifically targeting the tumor flaws. It’s fantastic to be able to have such a precise overview of what is going on in a patient’s body without having to have a biopsy. “
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