Early Detection - Liver Cancer

About

Track Code: 2016-STEF-67383 Tags   biotechnology, cancer, dna, liver disease, medical diagnostics, Medical/Health Background Liver cancer is responsible for more than 12,000 deaths per year in the United States (www.hopkinsmedicine.org), and the incidence rate for liver cancer is trending upwards in contrast to most other cancers. The current lack of reliable screening tests and the late onset of symptoms contribute to the disease's high mortality rate. The current recommended method for diagnosis includes a combination of measuring serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level and conducting periodic liver ultrasounds. However, a significant portion of liver cancer patients do not produce AFP, and distinguishing between malignant and benign tumors can be difficult with an ultrasound. Technology Summary Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new diagnostic test that detects the most common form of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with high sensitivity and specificity. Underlying liver cirrhosis is the main risk factor for developing HCC; however, not all cirrhotic patients will develop HCC. To predict and diagnose cancer in cirrhotic patients, the diagnostic test is based on the pattern of DNA modifications in sequences that correlate with the subsequent development of cancer in patients with liver cirrhosis. Using blood as a source of DNA and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for analysis, this test detects HCC with 82 percent accuracy in the cirrhotic, at-risk population. This is a vast improvement over an AFP test, which can misdiagnose 40 percent of cases. Use of this diagnostic could increase the cure rate from 5 percent to 80 percent. Advantages Minimally invasive procedure 82 percent accuracy far outpaces other methods Early detection can improve cure rates Potential Applications HCC diagnosis Stage of Development Process validation in lab