A blood test that can detect 50 different types of cancers
A diagnostic test by simply drawing blood one single time can now detect 50 different types of cancer!
Hyderabad: The incredible diagnostic tool known as Galleri, which is being dubbed by many as a game-changer due to its ability to detect cancers at very early stage, was successfully tested recently by Mayo Clinic in United States.
According to May Clinic, the researchers used the Galleri test in the ‘Circulating Cell-free Genome Atlas (CCGA)’ Study, a prospective, observational study designed to understand genomic cancer signals in the blood of people with and without cancer, which is being taken-up by GRAIL, a US-based healthcare company involved in developing pioneering technologies for early cancer detection.
The Galleri test demonstrated the ability to detect more than 50 types of cancers, over 45 of which have no recommended screening tests today, with a low false-positive rate of less than 1 per cent, according to a report from Mayo Clinic.
Experts involved in the study explained that human blood contains a DNA signature. The blood test tracks the DNA shed by the cancer cells. The Galleri test, which is yet to get approval from US drug regulatory drug authorities, has the ability to diagnose hard-to-detect and aggressive cancers like pancreatic, ovarian and oesophageal cancers.
Senior oncologist from Mayo Clinic, Dr Minetta Liu, who was involved in the development of the Galleri test, in a special report available in the Mayo Clinic website, said that the ability to detect cancers early is critical for successful treatment.
When a cancer signal is detected, the Galleri test can identify where in the body the cancer is located with high accuracy, a critical component to help enable healthcare providers to direct diagnostic next steps and care, Dr. Liu said.
The tumour-based DNA in the blood can be sequenced and the patterns can reveal a signal for the presence of cancers. The Galleri test can predict with very high accuracy wherein the body the cancer signal is coming from, experts involved in the study said.
According to Mayo Clinic, the Galleri test is meant for those at an elevated risk of cancer, such as adults age 50 or older and the test will be available through prescription.
Initial results from the study were presented at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. “The results demonstrated Galleri’s performance in the clinical setting was consistent with findings from previous observational studies, underscoring the potential real-world ability of Galleri to find deadly cancers earlier,” the statement from Mayo Clinic said.
For more details on the study: mayoclinic.org
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