Using a blood test to detect lung cancer earlier
Using a blood test to detect lung cancer earlier
A New Blood Test for Predicting Lung Cancer Mortality Risk
Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, has long been a challenge to diagnose and treat effectively. The overall lung cancer five-year survival rate is only about 25%, and it varies depending on the type of cancer and how early it is detected. However, researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have recently made a breakthrough in the field. They have developed a blood test that could potentially predict a person’s risk of dying from lung cancer when combined with a lung cancer risk model.
The Current State of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer claims three times as many lives in men as prostate cancer and three times as many lives in women as breast cancer. The survival rate for lung cancer depends on various factors, including the type of cancer and the stage at which it is detected. While the overall five-year survival rate is around 25%, it significantly increases to 63% if the cancer is detected while still confined to the lungs. However, if the cancer has spread to other body organs, the survival rate drops to a mere 8%.
The Need for Lung Cancer Mortality Risk Testing
Due to the lack of noticeable symptoms in the early stages, only about 16% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed early enough to offer better treatment options and improve survival rates. Dr. Edwin Ostrin, an assistant professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center, describes the problem, stating, “Small lung cancers usually do not lead to symptoms, and around two-thirds of lung cancers are thus diagnosed when they are large and have already started to spread.” Early detection plays a crucial role in improving long-term survival rates. Therefore, finding tools for early detection is paramount in the fight against lung cancer.
A Blood Test for Lung Cancer
A blood test for lung cancer is groundbreaking news. Previously, high-risk individuals with significant smoking histories could benefit from annual low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scans, which reduce lung cancer mortality by 20%. However, only those with substantial smoking histories were eligible for this screening. Additionally, this screening often detects indeterminate pulmonary nodules, which require further evaluation. To overcome these limitations, Dr. Ostrin and his team have been working on a four-protein biomarker panel (4MP) for early lung cancer detection.
The blood test measures four proteins using immunoassay, a reliable, accurate, and inexpensive method widely used in measuring blood proteins for various medical tests. The key advantage of the blood test lies in its potential to assist in the early detection of lung cancer, enabling treatment at a curable stage. Dr. Ostrin explains, “Any tools to provide early detection of lung cancer, and thus shift the stage at diagnosis to an earlier stage, would save lives.”
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The Journey to a New Lung Cancer Test
Dr. Ostrin and his team have been conducting extensive research on the efficacy of the four-protein biomarker panel (4MP) over the past decade. Their work, initially published in JAMA Oncology in 2018, demonstrated the panel’s ability to identify individuals at risk of developing lung cancer when combined with smoking history. Subsequent studies in 2021 and 2022 showcased the 4MP’s potential in distinguishing between benign and cancerous findings on chest CT scans and identifying those at the highest risk for cancer.
Promising Results from Lung Cancer Blood Test Research
The latest study from MD Anderson Cancer Center involved reanalyzing data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) trial. By analyzing pre-diagnostic blood samples from over 2,700 participants, the researchers evaluated the relationship between the 4MP blood test and lung cancer mortality risk. Of the participants diagnosed with lung cancer during the study period, 70% died from the disease. The combination of the 4MP blood test and the lung cancer risk model showed improved performance in predicting lung cancer-specific mortality compared to existing screening criteria.
Next Steps for the Blood Test Research
Dr. Ostrin and his team are actively working to refine and develop the 4MP blood test into a clinical-grade tool. They hope to make it available within the next few months. Additionally, they aim to explore the utility of the blood test in early lung cancer detection for individuals with light or no tobacco use history.
Beyond lung cancer, Dr. Ostrin’s lab group is also studying other cancers, such as pancreatic, breast, gastric, and colorectal cancer, using similar approaches to the 4MP blood test. The ultimate goal is to develop accurate and affordable blood tests that can assess the risk of various cancers, similar to how cholesterol and blood pressure tests help assess the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The Promise of Better Lung Cancer Assessment
Dr. Manmeet S. Ahluwalia, an expert in cancer research and treatment, emphasizes the importance of early prediction in lung cancer. Diagnosing lung cancer at early stages, particularly stages 1 and 2, significantly improves the chances of successful treatment. Dr. Ahluwalia recognizes the potential of incorporating biomarkers and subject characteristics to enhance individualized risk assessment compared to current screening criteria.
The development of a blood test for lung cancer mortality risk holds tremendous promise in revolutionizing lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. As researchers continue refining and validating the test, it could serve as a powerful tool in combating the world’s leading cause of cancer death. By shifting the stage of diagnosis to an earlier, more treatable phase, this blood test may ultimately save countless lives.
