Scientists believe blood tests can indicate cancer return before symptoms appear
Researchers at NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center revealed that blood tests can predict a return Skin cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma is a less common form of skin cancer and is more dangerous than other varieties.
This is because it is much more likely to spread to other parts of the body if it is discovered early and not handled.
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new Cancer ResearchWe examined the levels of circulating tumor DNA (CTDNA) found in the blood of cancer patients, published in the Lancet Oncology Journal.
Approximately 80% of patients with stage 3 where CTDNA levels could be detected continued to experience a cancer return later. (istock)
According to a press release from Nyu Langone, approximately 80% of patients with CTDNA at a level where CTDNA can be detected (before starting treatment), continued to experience a cancer return later.
Stage 3 melanoma – one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer – is Cancer is spreading For lymph nodes.
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Lymph nodes can be removed surgically, but once they are gone, it becomes difficult to monitor cancer using traditional methods such as x-rays and CT scans, the researchers noted.
The challenge has attracted interest in finding new ways to detect cancer activity more quickly.
Melanoma is a less common skin cancer and is more dangerous than other varieties, depending on how quickly it expands. (istock)
“Our findings suggest that circulatory tumor DNA testing can help oncologists identify which ones Melanoma patients In the release, lead author Mahruk Sheeda said.
Early detection of disease returns through CTDNA analysis can save lives, as this type of cancer is notoriously difficult to treat.
“Circulating tumor DNA testing provides a clear and direct measure of the disease itself.”
This study analyzed results from nearly 600 men and women who participated in previous clinical trials. Researchers used blood samples to compare the presence of ctDNA with evidence of cancer reversion.
The team explained other factors, including the type of treatment used to fight cancer, age, and type.
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Almost all patients with detectable levels of ctDNA within one year of treatment experienced melanoma return.
“CTDNA methods work by focusing on the most common mutations in Genetic code In melanoma cells, according to release.
Almost all patients who had detectable levels of CTDNA within a year of treatment experienced a reversion of melanoma, the researchers found. (istock)
The assessment of CtDNA levels was better or better at predicting recurrence than other tests examining the tumor itself, researchers found.
“Unlike standard, organization-based analysis Tumor cellsand can only suggest a possible recurrence, circulating tumor DNA testing provides a clear and direct measure of the disease itself, and fully communicates that melanoma has returned.”
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However, in some cases, cancer still returned despite the patient having had a negative CTDNA test before starting treatment.
Researchers plan to improve the sensitivity of the test in their next study, hoping to reduce such cases.
“This paper and others clearly show that persistent circulatory tumor DNA after treatment surgery is a sign of a poor prognosis, suggesting that there is a high risk of early recurrence.” (istock)
Dr. Joshua Strauss, a fellow attendee and medical oncologist and attendee of the Atlantic Medical Group in Morristown, New Jersey, praised the study.
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“This is another part of a series of research to promote. Powerful technology This allows us to detect tumor DNA circulating in the blood in a variety of tumor types,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“It is clear from this paper and others that the tumor DNA that circulates later persists. Treatment surgery It is a poor sign of a prognosis, suggesting a higher risk of early recurrence,” Strauss continued.
According to oncologists, the next step in the evolution of this technology is to use this information “in a predictive way not only to prognostic methods but also to guide management choices.”