Israeli blood test could make lung-cancer detection faster, more accessible
Israeli scientists have developed a blood test capable of detecting lung cancer without requiring DNA sequencing, potentially offering a faster and more affordable option to supplement existing imaging approaches, Tel Aviv University announced.
Israeli scientists have developed a blood test capable of detecting lung cancer without requiring DNA sequencing, potentially offering a faster and more affordable option to supplement existing imaging approaches, Tel Aviv University announced.
"Our goal is to make blood tests for cancer diagnosis more accessible, simpler and less expensive without compromising accuracy," Said Professor Yuval Ebenstein of the university's School of Chemistry. "We have developed a new approach that does not require genetic sequencing but instead identifies the tumor's chemical 'fingerprint' with light, using a technology that can be implemented in standard clinical laboratories."
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Current diagnosis depends substantially on CT scans, which can identify abnormal areas but frequently generate findings that turn out to be benign, potentially leading to unnecessary biopsies and procedures.
Liquid biopsies present an alternative, though many depend on DNA sequencing, a costly process requiring advanced computational resources.
The technology detects a chemical "fingerprint" Linked to cancer cells by examining cell-free DNA - small DNA fragments released into the bloodstream by cells. When tumor cells release fragments, researchers can identify molecular changes associated with cancer in patient blood samples.
The study was led by Ebenstein alongside researchers from Tel Aviv University's Department of Biomedical Engineering and Zimin Institute, JaxBio Technologies, Bnai Zion Medical Center and Sheba Medical Center. Results appeared in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Precision Oncology.
In a trial of 103 participants, the test achieved 93.1% sensitivity and 90.3% specificity in distinguishing lung cancer patients from healthy individuals among those with Stage 2-4 disease.
The approach bypasses sequencing by extracting cell-free DNA from blood, labeling it with a light-emitting marker, attaching it to a specialized DNA chip and scanning with an optical scanner. Light patterns are then analyzed to identify the lung cancer fingerprint.
Researchers analyzed samples from 51 lung cancer patients and 52 healthy controls, identifying a signature involving 170 genomic regions before validating it on a separate group using blinded analysis.
The test also demonstrated potential for differentiating between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma based on DNA signature differences.
Researchers investigated whether the technology could monitor treatment response. Changes in the DNA's chemical fingerprint aligned with imaging findings in examined patients. Those responding to treatment showed shifts toward healthy profiles, while non-responders showed no significant change.
The researchers noted that treatment-monitoring results remain preliminary and require further validation before clinical implementation.
The technology could complement CT imaging in assessing abnormal findings, monitoring treatment response and potentially supporting earlier detection. Its relatively low cost and lack of sequencing requirements could make it more accessible than some existing liquid-biopsy methods.
The test currently requires two to three days and costs approximately $60 per sample.
"This is a significant step toward developing a tool that can complement imaging tests and help physicians diagnose lung cancer and monitor treatment effectiveness," Ebenstein said.
Sources