Stanford University scientists have developed a new type of low-cost blood test that has the potential for quickly tracking cancer growth and spread. The test requires only a fraction of a tube of blood and can detect genetic mutations in minute amounts of DNA released from cancer cells into the blood, according to a study published in the The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics. "For monitoring patient tumours, only a handful of blood tests are available which are limited to only several types of cancers.
Nearly all cancer patients require monitoring by whole body imaging, which can be costly, complex, and time-consuming," said lead investigator, Associate Professor at Stanford University in the US. In contrast, molecular tests like the one we have developed will enable patients to be monitored at every visit, and thus have the potential for quickly tracking cancer growth and spread," he…
