Improved blood tests for cancer screening: general or specific?

Abstract

Diagnosis of cancer at an early stage leads to improved survival. However, most current blood tests detect single biomarkers that are of limited suitability for screening, and existing screening programmes look only for cancers of one particular type. A new approach is needed. Recent developments suggest the possibility of blood-based screening for multiple tumour types. It may be feasible to develop a high-sensitivity general screen for cancer using multiple proteins and nucleic acids present in the blood of cancer patients, based on the biological characteristics of cancer. Positive samples in the general screen would be submitted automatically for secondary screening using tests to help define the likelihood of cancer and provide some indication of its type. Only those at high risk would be referred for further clinical assessment to permit early treatment and mitigate potential overdiagnosis. While the assays required for each step exist, they have not been used in this way. Recent experience of screening for breast, cervical and ovarian cancers suggest that there is likely to be widespread acceptance of such a strategy.

Brain tumour differentiation: rapid stratified serum diagnostics via attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy

“…In addition, 23 % of newly diagnosed cancer patients came from emergency presentations, with 1 year survival rates much lower than those diagnosed via other routes [ 6 ].Current diagnosis relies upon time consuming and subjective histopathological examination. Diagnostic error occurs in up to 50 % of cases, which can result in additional testing, diagnostic delays and incorrect diagnoses [ 7 ]. Prior to diagnosis the patient will have to be symptomatic in order to be referred.…”

Comparison of serum human epididymis protein 4 and carbohydrate antigen 125 as markers in ovarian cancer: A meta-analysis

“…However, the application of CA125 is compromised by its low specificity, particularly in premenopausal women, as the CA125 levels may be elevated above normal in a number of common benign gynecological conditions and in other malignancies (4). Therefore, considerable efforts are aimed at identifying novel markers, which are more sensitive and specific compared to CA125 and may be used in combination with or instead of CA125 to improve the diagnosis of OC (5,6).…”

Development of Serum Biomarker Panels for The Early Detection of Breast Cancer

“…Third, several multi-biomarker panels were developed for the breast cancer detection [12,24,25] , however, their clinical validity were also limited as same to the novel single biomarker. Our strategy may be more feasible and closer to clinical practice for early stage breast cancer diagnosis by exploring the diagnostic value of the conventional biomarkers in clinical practice [26] . One reason is that the conventional biomarker, such as, CA125, CEA, CA19-9, lipids, cytokines were not specific for one kind of tumor.…”