Blood-Based Proteomic Test to Enable Early Lung Cancer Detection

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 05 Feb 2025

Image: The blood test could transform early lung cancer detection and enable curative treatments (Photo courtesy of OXcan)

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. More than 70% of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, but patients detected in the first stage have a 12-fold better five-year survival rate compared to those diagnosed at stage four, emphasizing the critical importance of early detection in improving outcomes. Now, a simple blood test to detect one of the deadliest cancers early aims to address this critical problem.

Oxford Cancer Analytics (OXcan; Oxford, UK) is focused on developing and globally commercializing innovative, minimally invasive liquid biopsy blood tests for early cancer detection. OXcan emerged from breakthroughs in combining advanced proteomics with tailored machine learning, transforming early cancer detection through blood tests. The company has created a patented approach, an advanced proteomics lab, and a platform dedicated to advancing the field of liquid biopsy. With a team of oncology innovation and machine learning experts, OXcan applies cutting-edge research techniques to analyze liquid biopsy data. In earlier studies, the company's machine learning models significantly improved detection rates for eight different cancer types by refining thousands of proteins into key biomarker signatures.

OXcan’s protein-based blood test identifies a molecular signature in patients at high risk for lung cancer. This simple, affordable, and precise blood test has the potential to facilitate earlier diagnoses and increase the number of individuals tested for lung cancer. The company has formed global partnerships to deploy the test on scalable platforms worldwide. OXcan is currently collaborating with over 20 healthcare centers across three continents, including pioneers in lung cancer screening, to refine and implement the technology. The company's diverse global biobank helps ensure more reliable biomarker identification across various populations, enhancing the test’s global applicability. Moreover, OXcan leverages advanced proteomics technology to detect a broader range of proteins, offering a more thorough understanding of the disease. The power of the OXcan proteomics biomarker discovery platform, coupled with the data generated, positions the company ahead of other liquid biopsy competitors, demonstrating superior performance in detecting early-stage lung cancer.

“Having developed blood-based proteomic tests for lung cancer for over two decades, I appreciate the difficulty of detecting cancers early through liquid biopsy,” said Dr. Heinrich Roder, SVP R&D at OXcan. “Convinced that OXcan’s unique approach can address this clinical need, I feel privileged to join the team. Together, our plan is to offer this novel technological approach to large markets worldwide to start a new era of early detection and improve patient outcomes.”

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