Prime Highlights
- UK researchers have developed a new blood test, LungCanSeek, that can detect lung cancer cells quickly and accurately, even at very early stages.
- The test uses AI and infrared light to identify cancer cells in the blood, helping doctors diagnose the disease sooner and monitor treatment effectiveness.
Key Facts
- The study tested 1,814 blood samples, including 1,095 from lung cancer patients, and used AI to identify cancer types like adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and small cell lung cancer.
- Researchers propose a two-step screening: the AI blood test followed by a low-dose CT scan to confirm positive results and reduce unnecessary scans.
Background
Researchers in the UK have developed a new blood test that could make it easier and faster to detect lung cancer. The test may help doctors diagnose the disease earlier and track how well treatments are working.
The study was carried out by experts from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, Keele University and Loughborough University. Their goal was to find a simpler way to detect lung cancer cells in the blood.
When lung cancer spreads, some cancer cells break away from the tumour and enter the bloodstream. These are called circulating tumour cells. Existing tests to find these cells are often expensive, slow and difficult to use. They can also miss cancer cells because the cells change shape as they move through the blood.
The new test works by shining infrared light on a small blood sample. Every cell has its own chemical pattern, similar to a fingerprint. Lung cancer cells have a different pattern from healthy cells. A computer system reads these patterns and can spot cancer cells, even if there is only one among millions of normal cells.
The researchers tested the method on blood samples from 1,814 people. This group included 1,095 patients with lung cancer and 719 people without cancer. The samples were also checked for four tumour-related proteins.
Artificial intelligence was then used to study the results. The AI system was able to detect lung cancer and identify its main types, including lung adenocarcinoma, lung squamous cell carcinoma and small cell lung cancer.
The team proposed a two-step screening method. Patients first take an AI blood test called LungCanSeek. Doctors confirm positive results with a low-dose CT scan. This method could catch cancer earlier and reduce unnecessary scans.
Professor Josep Sule-Suso, who led the study, said the test can detect even a single lung cancer cell using this new technology.
