Exact Sciences and Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic researchers are developing a panel using blood-based DNA biomarkers to detect hepatocellular carcinoma.
Researchers extracted DNA from 244 patients. Exactly 95 patients had diagnosed HCC, 51 had cirrhosis and 98 were healthy. Researchers tested the DNA against 15 biomarkers to determine which biomarkers were the most accurate.
Here's what you should know:
1. The panel has detected HCC across all stages at 95 percent sensitivity.
2. For patients with a curable-stage disease, the panel had 91 percent sensitivity.
3. The panel was able to detect the difference between normal and diseased patients with 93 percent specificity.
4. HCC accounts for 90 percent of all liver cancers and is among the fast-growing causes of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.
5. Exact and Mayo are now working to confirm the accuracy of the biomarkers they've identified. The end goal would be to use the DNA assay to detect all types of cancer.
Exact Sciences Chairman and CEO Kevin Conroy said, "These results are further validation of our advanced DNA technology and our multibiomarker approach for the detection of the deadliest forms of cancer. We look forward to advancing this important research in early-stage cancer with Mayo Clinic."