A new cutting-edge blood test has been developed to detect even minute traces of one of the deadliest forms of cancer. This highly sensitive test can identify hidden markers of pancreatic cancer by targeting a crucial genetic mutation that traditional tests often miss.
Researchers in the United States have highlighted the potential of this test to extend patients’ lives by helping doctors identify those at higher risk of cancer recurrence, even when traditional scans show positive results. The test focuses on detecting the KRAS genetic mutation, which is responsible for more than 90% of pancreatic cancer cases.
A team of scientists from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago conducted a study where they collected blood samples from patients with localized pancreatic cancer undergoing treatment. The innovative blood test was able to detect signs of cancer in 65% of patients at the time of diagnosis, a significant improvement compared to the 17% detection rate of standard tests.
Even after chemotherapy and surgery, the sensitive blood test continued to detect residual cancer in most patients, outperforming imaging techniques. These findings, published in Clinical Cancer Research, coincide with the development of a groundbreaking drug that targets the KRAS mutation and shows promising survival benefits.
Lead author of the study, Professor Akhil Chawla, emphasized the importance of having a screening tool that tracks the same mutation as emerging KRAS-targeted therapies. This combination could revolutionize the identification of high-risk patients, monitoring of microscopic disease, and early intervention before cancer recurrence becomes clinically visible, potentially leading to more successful treatment outcomes.
Pancreatic cancer is known to be one of the most lethal types of cancer, even when detected early before spreading visibly. Many patients undergo extensive treatments like chemotherapy and surgery, yet the cancer often returns. Prof Chawla stressed the challenge of accurately monitoring treatment effectiveness in patients with low levels of circulating tumor DNA.
The study followed 106 patients with localized pancreatic cancer from diagnosis through treatment. Blood samples were collected before treatment, after chemotherapy, and post-surgery between October 2020 and October 2024. The digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) blood test was found to be significantly more effective in detecting cancer markers compared to conventional next-generation sequencing tests (NGS).
The study revealed that ddPCR identified cancer markers in a significantly larger number of patients at diagnosis and post-treatment stages compared to NGS. The ability of ddPCR to detect residual cancer after chemotherapy and surgery, which went unnoticed by standard testing methods, suggests a potential for missed opportunities in current patient care.
Improved detection accuracy with ddPCR led to better predictions of survival outcomes. Notably, a subgroup of high-risk patients, previously undetected by standard NGS tests but identified by ddPCR, showed improved survival rates. These patients survived an average of 27 months post-diagnosis, compared to 41 months for patients who tested negative on both assessments.
Prof Chawla highlighted the significance of liquid biopsies like NGS and ddPCR, which detect cancer DNA in the bloodstream, providing early indications of cancer presence or recurrence. These blood tests offer a non-invasive and repeatable method for monitoring cancer progression over time.
