Researchers have developed a new targeted methylation-based assay able to screen blood samples for more than 20 types of cancer at all stages—including lung cancer—with high accuracy.

It also correctly pinpoints the tissue of origin (TOO), according to study results presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2019 Congress, hosted in Barcelona, Spain, from September 27–October 1, 2019.

Besides lung cancer, the methylation-based assay screens for anal, bladder, colorectal, oesophageal, head and neck, liver/bile duct, lymphoma, ovary, pancreatic, plasma cell neoplasm, and stomach cancers, among others. 

“Our previous work indicated that methylation-based assays outperform traditional DNA-sequencing approaches to detecting multiple forms of cancer in blood samples,” said lead author Geoffrey R. Oxnard, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. “The results of the new study demonstrate that such assays are a feasible way of screening people for cancer.”

In their prospective study, Dr. Oxnard and colleagues analyzed cell-free DNA (cfDNA)—DNA that is released into the bloodstream following cell death—in 3,583 blood samples, of which 1,530 were from patients with cancer and 2,053 were from cancer-free individuals.

The assay functions by quantifying abnormal methylation patterns in cfDNA, whereas liquid biopsies isolate genetic mutations or other types of DNA alterations. Methylation works to activate or deactivate genes, and altered methylation suggests cancer.

For diagnosing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), biopsy is currently the gold standard, while molecular testing is used to shed light on treatment options in advanced-stage or even early-stage NSCLC. 

It turns out that in many types of cancer, methylation is better reflective of cancer diagnosis than are other types of mutations, according to the authors. Indeed, the researchers previously found that whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (ie, the methylation assay) outperformed whole-genome and targeted-sequencing strategies in detecting cancer.

Ultimately, if this new methylation-based assay was to pick up even a small number of early-stage cancer types, many patients would benefit from earlier treatment, according to the authors.

This story is contributed by Naveed Saleh and is a part of our Global Content Initiative, where we feature selected stories from our Global network which we believe would be most useful and informative to our doctor members.