UZ Leuven and KU Leuven develop revolutionary cancer screening test
A single, sensitive blood test, combining traditional mutation screening with DNA fragment analysis, can detect different types of cancer with unprecedented accuracy, at an early stage and in a much less invasive manner. A medical breakthrough by UZ Leuven and KU Leuven.
Currently, body tissue or cells are mostly examined by means of a biopsy to detect possible genetic mutations. However, this technique only provides a partial picture of the situation, can sometimes be invasive, and may even be impossible if the tumour is difficult to access, for example.
However, the blood test developed in Leuven offers a number of advantages. It detects both genetic and epigenetic alterations, i.e. simultaneously mutations that can cause cancer and changes in the sequence of DNA fragments within the cell. In addition, this test is less restrictive and can be repeated, making it possible to monitor the progression of the disease, evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, adjust them if necessary, and detect a possible relapse earlier. Initially, the test will be aimed at patients with a particularly high hereditary risk of cancer. Studies are currently being conducted on patients with breast or endocrine cancer, colorectal cancer or leukaemia. At a later stage, the entire population could be tested on a preventive basis.
The Charleroi-based biotechnology company OncoDNA has the exclusive licence to market this test worldwide. The product could be introduced into clinical practice by the end of 2026.