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New Blood Test Promises Earlier Detection of Pancreatic Cancer
A groundbreaking blood test has emerged that may significantly enhance early detection of pancreatic cancer, which is among the most lethal types of cancer.
Developed by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), the new test, named PAC-MANN—short for “protease activity-based assay using a magnetic nanosensor”—utilizes a minimal blood sample to monitor changes in protease activity. This activity is a critical marker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most prevalent and aggressive form of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is often discovered at advanced stages, limiting effective treatment options. Existing diagnostic tools like carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) can indicate cancer prognosis but lack the sensitivity required for early detection. The PAC-MANN test aims to bridge this gap by identifying biomarkers related to cancer activity in the blood, thus facilitating earlier diagnosis.
“One of the main challenges with pancreatic cancer is that by the time it is diagnosed, it’s often too late for effective intervention,” stated Jared Fischer, Ph.D., a scientist at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute’s Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, known as CEDAR.
“With PAC-MANN, we hope to offer healthcare providers a tool that can detect the disease at an earlier stage, improving the likelihood of successful treatment and survival rates.”
Fischer, who also serves as the corresponding author for the study published in Science Translational Medicine, emphasized the potential benefits of this new technology.
Leading the research team, Jose L. Montoya Mira, Ph.D., is a research engineer at CEDAR. With a background in engineering and biology, he contributed his expertise to develop a more efficient, cost-effective test suitable for a wide range of healthcare settings, beyond just specialized laboratories.
“Our test is designed for individuals who are at a heightened risk for pancreatic cancer,” Montoya explained. “It offers a more comprehensive and less invasive screening method compared to traditional techniques like endoscopic ultrasound, which often require larger blood volumes and may limit frequency of testing.”
Innovative and Effective Screening
The researchers conducted their study with blood samples from 350 patients sourced from OHSU’s Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care and CEDAR. Participants included those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, individuals at high risk, and healthy controls. The focus was on specific proteins, particularly proteases, which exhibit increased activity in patients with PDAC.
The PAC-MANN test demonstrated remarkable accuracy, correctly identifying pancreatic cancer patients 98% of the time compared to healthy individuals and those with benign pancreatic conditions. Additionally, it showed an 85% success rate in detecting early-stage cancer when used in conjunction with the CA 19-9 test.
Moreover, PAC-MANN could potentially monitor the effectiveness of treatments. Post-surgery, researchers noted a decline in protease activity, indicating the test’s capability to gauge treatment responses over time.
“This test is not solely about cancer detection; it also provides insights into therapeutic efficacy, guiding our treatment choices,” Fischer noted.
“If we can monitor a patient’s treatment response as it happens, we can make more informed decisions, which could substantially improve patient outcomes.”
Cost-Effective and Accessible
In contrast to traditional diagnostic methods, PAC-MANN needs only a tiny blood sample—8 microliters—to yield results in about 45 minutes, at a cost of less than one cent per sample. Montoya explained, “This affordability and efficiency make it feasible for use in rural and underserved areas where access to conventional testing is limited.”
The research team aims to expand their work with more clinical trials, including an upcoming investigator-initiated trial in collaboration with OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and CEDAR, targeting patients at elevated risk for pancreatic cancer.
If subsequent clinical trials validate the test’s effectiveness, PAC-MANN could significantly enhance the early detection of pancreatic cancer, leading to a broader array of treatment options and improved survival chances for patients.
“We aspire to take meaningful steps toward effectively combating cancer as we currently understand it,” Fischer concluded.
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