A cancer diagnosis in minutes, using just a few drops of dried blood and the power of artificial intelligence. What until yesterday seemed like an unattainable goal, today is closer than ever thanks to the work of a team of Chinese scientists.
Their study, published in the prestigious journal Nature Sustainability (I link it here), lays the foundation for a future in which early cancer diagnosis could become simple, economical and affordable for everyone.
A revolutionary test
The new test (currently in the experimental phase) uses machine learning, a type of artificial intelligence, to analyze the metabolites present in the blood. These metabolites, found in the liquid part of the blood known as serum, act as “biomarkers” that can potentially signal the presence of cancer in the body.
In early experiments, the tool was able to distinguish between patients diagnosed with pancreatic, stomach or colorectal cancer and people without cancer, with an accuracy of 82% to 100%. And all in just a few minutes, using a quantity of blood less than 0,05 milliliters. One teaspoon could accommodate 100 samples! A result which, if confirmed, would outclass even the "imaginary" ones boasted by Theranos, the startup cost Elizabeth Holmes prison.
Towards an early diagnosis
Screening for these biomarkers in the blood has been proposed as a potential way to Diagnostic cancer at earlier stages of the disease, when survival rates are higher and patients may not have obvious symptoms. Despite being among the deadliest cancers in the world, pancreatic, colorectal and stomach cancers currently lack stand-alone blood tests that are accurate enough to diagnose the diseases on their own. Doctors usually rely on imaging or surgical procedures to detect cancerous tissue.
The new test would theoretically require a ridiculous amount of blood to diagnose these diseases. And there's more: compared to liquid blood, dried serum can be collected, stored and transported at much lower costs and with much simpler equipment. It would be an epochal change for cancer screening.
Oncology screening with a micro drop of blood: future prospects
I say this to clear up any doubt: the new test for cancer detection probably won't come into use anytime soon. We are most likely still years away from being able to offer this test to patients on a widespread basis.
For a blood test like this to enter clinical practice, extensive clinical trials with thousands of patients and regulatory review will be needed. And I don't know, honestly, which of the two things will take more time.
Blood and screening, immense potential
Having clarified the appropriate precautions, let's return to the potential of this new tool. Which is huge. With further development, it could theoretically be used for the early diagnosis of other types of cancer or other diseases, or to monitor disease progression in already diagnosed patients.
By 2030, scientists estimate is approximately 75% of cancer deaths will occur in low- and middle-income countries, where people face disproportionately high barriers to accessing medical care. By chasing dried blood, the new tool could help improve access to testing in remote areas where resources are limited, the study authors write in their report.
In summary, in the future (hopefully not too distant) a simple blood test could make the difference between life and death, between a timely diagnosis and an unequal fight against a silent and ruthless evil. I like to think that, albeit with unusual slowness, we are moving inexorably towards a world in which cancer is just a thing of the past.
