Test that ‘can detect more than 50 types of cancer’ developed

A blood test that can detect more than 50 types of cancer before any clinical signs or symptom of the disease has been developed by scientists.

The test is based on a type of DNA that is shed by tumours into the bloodstream known as cell-free DNA (cfDNA).

The researchers, including scientists from The Francis Crick Institute and University College London, said this method can not only tell whether someone has cancer, but also the type of cancer they have.

They believe the findings, published in the journal Annals Of Oncology, could in future help in the early diagnosis and treatment of tumours.

Commenting on the research, Dr David Crosby, head of early detection at Cancer Research UK, who was not involved in the study, said: “Although this test is still at an early stage of development, the initial results are encouraging.

“And if the test can be finetuned to be more efficient at catching cancers in their earliest stages, it could become a tool for early detection.

“But more research is needed to improve the test’s ability to catch early cancers.”

The test uses machine learning algorithms to look for chemical changes, called methylation, in cfDNA, which can contribute to tumour growth.

The researchers used the method on 4,316 samples – some with and some without cancer.

More than 50 types of cancer, such as pancreatic, lung and ovarian, were included in the study. The test was able to predict the tissue in which the cancer originated in 96% of samples, and it was accurate in 93%, the researchers said.