ctDNA-Based Liquid Biopsy Test Screens for 10 Common Cancers in Single Blood Draw

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 11 May 2023

Image: LucenceINSIGHT enables early cancer detection through a single blood test (Photo courtesy of Freepix)

As the elderly population increases, there's an escalating crisis in cancer, with new cases being reported in the millions annually. The shortfall in screening resources and poor adoption of conventional cancer screening methods result in most patients being diagnosed at advanced stages. Detecting cancer early, when it is still highly treatable, can avert unnecessary deaths due to the disease. A pioneering multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test now offers the potential for early cancer detection by screening for the risk of up to 10 cancers in a simple blood draw.

Lucence Health (Palo Alto, CA, USA) has introduced LucenceINSIGHT, a ctDNA-based liquid biopsy test capable of screening for 10 common cancers with a single blood draw. It is important to note that 78% of global cancer deaths are attributable to cancers for which there is no routine screening recommended. Blood testing could render the screening of various cancer types more accessible and convenient for people without symptoms.

LucenceINSIGHT identifies cancer-linked changes in DNA fragments found in the blood. These fragments, also referred to as circulating tumor DNA or ctDNA, are released into the bloodstream from cancer cells. Sophisticated sequence analysis is employed by the test to predict the site of origin. Results are presented as areas of concern, which healthcare providers may choose to investigate further if needed. Utilizing Lucence's unique next-generation sequencing technology, LucenceINSIGHT screens for cancer risks with a sensitivity rate of 73% and a specificity rate of 96%.

“Our mission is early cancer detection through a single blood test, when cancer is most treatable hopefully for cure,” said Lucence CEO and Medical Director Dr. Min-Han Tan. “We strongly believe in collaboration with partners who are motivated to overcome cancer together globally.”

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Lucence Health