Breakthrough in cancer diagnosis: the role of non-invasive biomarkers and mced tests compared to conventional method

Abstract

The uncontrolled cell division is known as cancer and it is responsible for approximately 19.3 million new cases and 10 million deaths in 2020 as reported by WHO (World Health Organization). Timely cancer detection is essential for patient health improvement and reducing mortality rate. Traditional methods for diagnosing cancer often rely on invasive techniques or lack sensitivity for pre-symptomatic stages. A recent breakthrough study has presented a potentially game-changing paradigm shift in the form of the blood test with the help of blood-based biomarkers, which tells about the disease before its traditional detection around four years before and it also claims to detect five common cancers (stomach, esophageal, colorectal, lung, and liver). Non-invasive biomarkers, including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), micro ribonucleic acid RNAs (miRNAs), circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), circulating carcinoma proteins, DNA methylated regions, and tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs), represent significant progress in cancer diagnostics. These biomarkers, derived from bodily fluids, provide a promising avenue for detecting cancers in their early stages, potentially reducing mortality rates. PanSeer is another type of blood testing that targets DNA methylation in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). It is effective in detecting five common cancers at an early stage, with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 99%. The study is still ongoing, but the results so far are promising. If PanSeer and blood-based detection are validated in larger studies, they could become a valuable tool for early cancer detection. Liquid biopsies are safer, simpler, and more effective for early and real-time cancer detection compared to traditional methods which can be painful and carry risks of complications such as infection or delay healing. Advancements in sequencing techniques offer promise, with whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, microarray-based sequencing, and digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR-based) assays enhancing methylome profiling. Moreover, the absence of official Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for MCD (Multi-Cancer Detection) tests underscores the need for comprehensive clinical benefit evaluation, distinct from traditional drug approval processes that require collaborative efforts, transparency, and continuous assessment