Lung Cancer Detection Blood Test to Reduce Need for Repeated CT Scanning

Lung cancer is among the leading causes of cancer deaths and a major health problem globally. The majority of lung malignancies have already spread by the time they are diagnosed. Currently, there are no simple specific blood tests to detect lung cancer early when targeted interventions can improve timely access to cancer care and save lives. CT scanning currently has a false positive rate of approximately 90%, depending on route of referral. False positive results lead to unnecessary and costly investigations that are typically repeated multiple times. These are often invasive and can cause significant patient trauma. Now, a prototype confirmative lung cancer test has been developed to address the false positive rates of CT scanning in order to avoid unnecessary invasive testing and costs.

The single biomarker blood-based diagnostic test for the detection of lung cancer at an early stage has been developed by Cizzle Biotechnology (London, UK). The test is intended to address a clear unmet clinical need – the early detection of lung cancer, when curative surgical resection is possible. The initial product is intended to be an immunoassay for hospitals and reference laboratories while the follow on product could be a point of care test performed by a primary health care provider.

Image: A new lung cancer test for the early detection of lung cancer (Photo courtesy of Cizzle Biotechnology)

The proof-of-concept prototype test is based on the ability to detect a stable plasma biomarker, a variant of CIZ1 known as CIZ1B. CIZ1 is a naturally occurring cell nuclear protein involved in DNA replication, and the targeted CIZ1B variant is highly correlated with early-stage lung cancer. The test is underpinned by 15 years of grant funded basic research into CIZ1 form and function, and its relationship with cancer. This has shown that CIZ1 is part of the nuclear structure that controls gene expression. Its variant form, CIZ1 B is produced by lung cancer cells and can be exploited to detect lung cancer. The blood test would provide a cost effective and an earlier way to detect lung cancer and reduce the need for repeated CT scanning.

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