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New Blood Test Detects Lethal Pancreatic Cancer Early
30 Jun
Summary
- A highly sensitive blood test identifies KRAS mutations in pancreatic cancer.
- The test detected cancer in 65% of patients at diagnosis, vs 17% standard.
- It may help identify high-risk patients for earlier intervention.
US scientists have developed a groundbreaking blood test capable of identifying subtle indicators of pancreatic cancer. This advanced diagnostic tool targets the KRAS genetic mutation, which is present in over 90% of pancreatic cancers and often missed by conventional methods.
During a study, the sensitive test identified signs of cancer in 65% of patients at diagnosis, a stark contrast to the 17% detected by standard tests. Crucially, it continued to detect residual cancer after chemotherapy and surgery when imaging scans appeared clear.
This innovation holds significant promise for identifying patients at higher risk of recurrence. By monitoring microscopic disease and potentially intervening earlier, this approach could fundamentally change how high-risk patients are managed and improve survival outcomes.
The research, published in Clinical Cancer Research, offers a vital tool as new KRAS-targeted therapies emerge, demonstrating substantial survival benefits for patients. The test, a type of liquid biopsy, can be repeated easily through simple blood draws.
