Blood Test Predicts Lung Cancer Years Early

A significant breakthrough may pave the way for preventing lung cancer, the world's deadliest cancer. Researchers identified 14 proteins in the blood that accurately predict lung cancer development over five years in advance. This discovery, published in the journal Cell, also revealed early evidence that an existing anti-inflammatory drug, canakinumab, could substantially reduce lung cancer risk in people with elevated concentrations of these proteins. These proteins are linked to inflammation, which, along with genetic mutations, is believed to drive lung cancer. This finding offers a potential new pathway for lung cancer prevention, akin to how statins manage heart disease risk.

This research utilized machine learning on over 48,000 blood samples from the UK Biobank. The 14-protein signature was validated globally, even in never-smokers. Scientists observed that these proteins increase with inflammation activated by factors like smoking and air pollution, suggesting a common inflammatory environment underlies lung cancer, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis. A retrospective analysis of a canakinumab trial showed the drug nearly halved lung cancer risk in individuals with high levels of the identified proteins. Further rigorous clinical trials are necessary to confirm the drug's preventive efficacy and safety, as significant side effects are possible. The protein signature could also refine eligibility for existing lung cancer screening programs.