New Blood Test to Diagnose Cancer and Its Appropriate Treatment

A team of British researchers has revealed that they have developed a new blood test that can be used to diagnose cancer and also identify the type of treatment. The test, called as liquid biopsy test, has been developed by researchers Cancer Research UK's Cambridge Research Institute who checked for fragments of defective DNA shed by dying tumor cells into the bloodstream.

The researchers revealed that they have managed to use the test to identify genetic faults involved in tumor growth of 20 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The researchers added that the test can be used to develop a real time picture of how the cancer is responding to a treatment and it can be used to select treatments to be given to patients instead of removing a tissue sample through surgical means.

“This type of blood test has the potential to revolutionize the way we diagnose and treat cancer. The great advantage is that it can be used to identify cancer mutations without surgery or a biopsy, making it safer and cheaper”, lead researcher Dr Nitzan Rosenfield said.

Source-Medindia