New blood test developed for early pancreatic cancer detection

An international research team led by the U.S.-based City of Hope organization has developed a new blood test designed to detect pancreatic cancer at its early, treatable stages. The study, recently published in the journal Nature Medicine, introduces a liquid biopsy technique named PANXEON. This test functions by analyzing blood samples for three specific indicators of pancreatic malignancy, including circulating microRNA and exosomes, providing high sensitivity for both cancer and precancerous lesions.

Pancreatic cancer is notoriously lethal, with only 14% of patients surviving five years post-diagnosis. This high mortality rate is primarily attributed to the fact that approximately 90% of cases are currently diagnosed in advanced stages after the malignancy has already spread. By facilitating early identification, this medical advancement aims to significantly improve patient outcomes and survival rates, as early detection remains the most critical factor in treating this aggressive form of cancer.