New Blood Test Could Complement CT Imaging Assessment of Lung Nodules for Cancer Risk

Lung cancer ranks as the topmost cause of cancer fatalities among both men and women in the United States. Presently, computed tomography (CT) scans are the gold standard for spotting lung nodules, which are tiny abnormal growths in the lungs and serve as early indicators of lung cancer. However, frequent use of CT scans has led to the discovery of numerous small lung nodules, making it difficult to identify which of them might turn out to be cancerous. To address this issue, scientists are advancing a liquid biopsy test for the early detection of lung cancer, which could be used alongside CT scans to evaluate the cancer risk associated with suspicious lung nodules.

A team of investigators from UCLA Health (Los Angeles, CA, USA) has been awarded a five-year grant amounting to USD 4.6 million by the National Cancer Institute. The grant aims to further the development of liquid biopsy technologies for early lung cancer detection. UCLA is among five institutions nationwide that are part of the NCI Liquid Biopsy Consortium, an initiative aimed at enhancing early lung cancer detection methods for individuals with suspicious lung nodules. The UCLA team intends to utilize liquid biopsy as a noninvasive approach to ascertain the molecular composition of tumors without extracting tissue or performing surgery. This method relies on examining blood or other easily obtainable bodily fluids to check for cancer signs. It can also offer insights into the status, development, or specific characteristics of various health conditions, aiding in both diagnosis and treatment planning.

The funds will support the UCLA team's efforts to advance a technology known as EFIRM-liquid biopsy for identifying markers that indicate the presence and type of cancer. In a previous research phase, the team had identified a unique form of DNA, termed as ultrashort and single-stranded DNA, present in the blood and seemingly linked to cancer. The researchers aim to integrate data from this specific DNA, along with certain genetic alterations, chemical modifications to the DNA, small RNA molecules, and detailed imaging. They believe that this integrated approach could yield a comprehensive model capable of identifying lung cancer in its earliest stages within these nodules. This endeavor is a multidisciplinary collaboration that involves specialists in fields such as lung cancer biology, medicine, pathology, engineering, dentistry, and radiology, all working together to develop and optimize this technology.

“The goal is to create a blood test that can be used in clinics to complement CT imaging assessment of lung nodules for cancer risk, helping doctors decide if and when further testing is needed,” said Dr. Denise Aberle, professor of radiology and bioengineering at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and one of the principal investigators on the grant.

“We are extremely excited of this work as the next horizon of liquid biopsy for early cancer detection: non-invasive, highly discriminatory, minimal volume and best performance,” added Dr. David Wong, professor of oral biology and director of the UCLA Center for Oral/Head and Neck Research at the UCLA School of Dentistry.

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