Fujimoto Y, Suehiro Y, Kaino S, et al. - In this study involving 55 patients with pancreatic cancer, 12 patients with benign pancreatic disease, and 80 healthy individuals, researchers assessed the sensitivity as well as the specificity of serum DNA testing of methylated RUNX3 (runt-related transcription factor 3) for pancreatic cancer detection by the combined restriction digital PCR (CORD) assay both with and without carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). A sensitivity of 50.9% and a specificity of 93.5% was conferred by CORD assay of methylated RUNX3. A sensitivity and specificity of 85.5% and 93.5%, respectively, for all stages of pancreatic cancer, as well as a sensitivity of 77.8% (7/9) for stage I pancreatic cancer, was provided by the combination of the CORD assay of methylated RUNX3 and CA19-9. Based on these data, experts suggested the likely usefulness of a combination of the CORD assay and CA19-9 in affording an alternative screening tool to detect early-stage pancreatic cancer.