Chinese researchers have joined forces with the start-up Singlera Genomics to develop a blood test whose objective is to detect the possible presence of cancer well in advance. The results were published in the journal Nature Communications July 21.
The test, which would diagnose cancer 4 years before the first symptoms, is called PanSeer. There is nothing invasive, since it is a simple blood test. The analysis carried out on the blood sample taken is concerned with the DNA methylation. This is the element which makes it possible to identify DNA signatures of various cancers.
Not a test to predict the future
PanSeer has been shown to be effective both in people whose cancer was already declared: out of 113 people whose cancer diagnosis had already been made, the test was positive for 88% of them. The researchers found that some cancers were more easily detected with this method : stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer and lung cancer. But he also has highlighted the presence of cancers in asymptomatic people who reported their disease 4 years later.
This test is not intended to predict the future of those who may one day have cancer. But rather to identify a beginning of cancer which would still be far from being visible or felt by the patient. Either at a very, very early stage. Because, the earlier a cancer is caught, the more likely it is to be cured …
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