HIGHLIGHTS:
- Breast cancer could soon be detected in its early stages using a blood test
- It was the findings of a clinical experiment conducted by the Cancer Institute in Adyar
- 218 women with various stages of breast cancer participated in the study
Findings of the Cancer Institute in Adyar
According to the findings of a clinical experiment conducted by the Cancer Institute in Adyar, breast cancer could soon be detected in its early stages using a blood test.
If these findings are confirmed in a larger clinical trial, these blood tests could not only replace mammograms and physical exams, but also aid in early detection and treatment, increasing outcomes.
What is special about this blood test?
According to scientists, the blood test searches for three gene markers in cell-free DNA extracted from women’s plasma and detect all stages of cancer, even those in the early stages when restricted inside the ducts (non-invasive).
“A mechanism known as promoter methylation causes a decline in the production of three protective genes named SOSTDC1, WIF1, and DACT2 in individuals with breast cancer.”
The test is positive when it detects significant’ methylation’ in the genes, according to senior scientist Dr Thangarajan Rajkumar, who heads the institute’s molecular oncology department.
The experiment
“All of the women with breast cancer in our study had positive test findings. Nine out of every hundred healthy people may test positive, necessitating extra testing before being certified negative. “As a result, the sensitivity was 100 percent and the specificity was close to 91 percent,” he explained.
218 women with various stages of breast cancer (including non-invasive), 240 healthy women, and others with non-cancerous tumours participated in the study. The study’s findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports. “At least 16 women had early-stage cancer, which this test also detected.” This is a significant benefit of these testing, according to Rajkumar.
‘Aim is to catch tumor as early as possible’
Women with early-stage breast cancer have a good chance of long-term survival, according to oncologists. Women with localized breast cancer, have a five-year survival rate of 99 percent worldwide. When cancer has progressed to the lymph nodes, the chances of survival plummet to 86 percent and 27 percent, respectively, for those whose tumours have metastasized to other organs. “One of the experts, Amritha Sathyanarayanan, said.
‘Aim is to catch tumor as early as possible’
In India, the disease is advanced in over 57 percent of women before they are identified. “Women don’t show up for mammograms or clinical examinations because they are afraid of the diagnosis or because they don’t have access to mammography,” said Dr. Sridevi V., a senior surgical oncologist.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women around the world. Breast cancer has surpassed cervical cancer as the most common malignancy among women in TN. Between 1985 and 2014, the age-adjusted breast cancer incidence rate in Chennai grew from 39.3 to 71.3. For additional confirmation, the institute has filed for a patent and wants to undertake a larger trial with more patients with non-invasive cancer and those with benign breast illness. “For this, we’re looking for funds of up to 35 lakh from philanthropists and corporations,” Rajkumar said.
