Lung cancer trial reveals 40% drop in deaths using biomarker testing

Medical Xpress / University of St Andrews / PLOS ONE ^ | Jan. 10, 2025 | Francis Michael Sullivan et al

[ConservativeMind]

New research has found that biomarker testing in individuals at risk of lung cancer led to a major reduction in deaths.

This study, conducted with 12,000 smokers and ex-smokers, demonstrates how biomarkers—measurable indicators of biological changes—can identify individuals at high risk of lung cancer, leading to earlier detection and significantly improved outcomes.

Professor Frank Sullivan led a large-scale trial involving 12,000 smokers and ex-smokers. The study found that testing high-risk individuals with biomarkers led to a 40% reduction in deaths from lung cancer and other causes over five years.

Biomarkers are measurable indicators of biological processes, such as proteins or other substances found in blood or urine. These markers can signal changes in the body that may indicate disease, including cancer, even before symptoms appear. The term "liquid biopsy" is sometimes used to describe this non-invasive method of detection.

Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers globally, with an estimated 2 million new cases and 1.76 million deaths each year. While effective treatments exist, they often come too late because the disease is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage. By using biomarkers to identify high-risk individuals or detect early signs of lung cancer, this approach could help save lives by enabling earlier, more effective treatment.

The research team aims to explore how biomarker testing could enhance lung cancer screening programs currently being developed or implemented in several countries. This targeted strategy could improve the identification of individuals most at risk, ensuring that screening resources are used efficiently and effectively.

Dr. Frank Sullivan highlighted the importance of early detection. "This study, along with others using imaging techniques, shows that earlier diagnosis of lung cancer is now possible. That is good news because, if caught early enough, the improved treatments now available have a much higher chance of success."

[ConservativeMind]

The test is called “EarlyCDT-Lung” and it is available.

In sum, you take that and only do the Low dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) if that first comes back showing issues.

[Brandonmark]

I personally believe in the use of biomarker testing as an early predictor of potential cancer; however I have talked to numerous oncologists, and they say there are too many false-positive and false-negatives to make it reliable for cancer detection. Therefore, current insurance companies will not cover the associated costs of biomarker testing. While it can be purchased privately, it can be too expensive for many patients.

[tired&retired]

This has been around for a while.

My oncologist ordered a Signatera test every 3 months after my lung cancer surgery.

https://www.natera.com/oncology/signatera-advanced-cancer-detection/?utm_campaign=2023_ONC_Clinician_Signatera_Indication-Specific&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=signatera%20lung%20cancer&matchtype=e&device=m&utm_adgroup=&gad_source=1