Predicting Breast Cancer Recurrence
News Desk
Islamabad: Researchers claim that a new blood test, described as “highly sensitive,” can forecast the recurrence of breast cancer years ahead of its detection through conventional scanning methods.
This test identifies the DNA signature of the tumor before it fully resurfaces, exhibiting a remarkable 100 percent accuracy in determining which patients are likely to experience a cancer relapse.
The anticipation is that this advancement could prompt earlier initiation of treatment, potentially enhancing survival rates. Although hailed as “incredibly exciting” by experts, the research conducted in the UK is still in its preliminary phases.
Breast cancer ranks as the most prevalent form of cancer globally, with 2.26 million women receiving diagnoses in 2020, resulting in 685,000 fatalities within the same year, as reported by a team from the UK’s Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London. This study encompassed 78 patients diagnosed with various types of early-stage breast cancer.
Through “liquid biopsy,” the researchers identified 1,800 mutations present in the blood of patients, indicative of cancer cell secretion. Among these, circulating tumor DNA was detected in 11 women who experienced cancer recurrence, while no such recurrence was observed in other subjects.
The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago, indicating that, on average, cancer could be identified 15 months before symptoms manifest or appear on scans. The diagnosis was confirmed 41 months before the scan through traditional means.
Dr. Ishaq García Marial, the lead researcher at ICR, highlighted that despite undergoing surgery and other treatments, breast cancer cells might persist within the body, albeit in minuscule quantities that evade detection.
He emphasized the necessity for vigilant follow-up, particularly through scanning, as these cells could potentially re-emerge many years following the initial treatment.
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