As we know, alpha-fetal protein is currently used to screen for liver cancer, but its reliability is inconsistent. However, researchers have developed a new AI-driven blood test to improve the detection of liver cancer.
The study analyzed blood samples from 61 HCC patients and 75 patients with other illnesses, identifying seven frequently occurring fusion genes in liver cancer patients. The test focuses on identifying “fusion genes” (MAN2A1–FER≤40, CCNH–C5orf30≤38, SLC45A2–AMACR≤41, and PTEN–NOLC1≤40), where two different genes are fused, potentially leading to cancer-promoting proteins. These genes are abnormal products of cancer cells and are not found in normal tissues, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for early cancer detection.
In a study published in the American Journal of Pathology, the test accurately predicted hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, in 83% to 91% of cases using four specific fusion-gene combinations.
When combined with an existing blood test for alpha-fetal protein, the fusion-gene test showed a significant increase in accuracy, reaching an impressive 95%!
Dr. Luo highlighted the importance of early detection, noting that early treatment can significantly improve survival rates compared to late-stage therapy. Therefore, the new blood test could become a valuable tool for screening and monitoring the impact of treatments for liver cancer.
https://ajp.amjpathol.org/article/S0002-9440(24)00111-1/fulltext