AI-Powered Blood Test Enables Early Detection of Breast Cancer

Approximately one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Early detection is crucial for better outcomes and can lessen the need for aggressive treatments like double mastectomies and chemotherapy, which come with challenging side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and hair loss. However, a considerable number of women miss the chance for an early diagnosis that could save their lives. While mammography is the primary method for breast cancer screening, its effectiveness is limited in women with dense breast tissue, which constitutes nearly half of the female population and is more prevalent among younger women. Factors like genetics, family history, and aging also elevate breast cancer risk. Now, researchers are evaluating an easy, convenient, and accurate blood test that could be effective in detecting breast cancer in the early stages, when outcomes are often better.

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine (New York, NY, USA) have received a USD 2.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program to validate the accuracy of the Syantra DX Breast Cancer test from Syantra Inc. (Calgary, Canada) for the early detection of breast cancer. This innovative test identifies specific blood biomarkers linked to breast cancer, utilizing an AI algorithm to detect the presence of cancer sooner than mammograms and before symptoms occur. Previous preliminary studies have indicated its potential in lower-risk women. In the new study, the focus will be on evaluating the test's efficacy in women aged 30 to 75 with a higher breast cancer risk due to factors like dense breast tissue, abnormal mammograms, genetic factors, or suspicious symptoms.

Participants will undergo the liquid biopsy and continue with conventional screening methods such as mammography, MRI, or ultrasound, which are particularly beneficial for examining dense breast tissue. The study aims to determine the test’s specificity—its ability to accurately identify those without breast cancer—and its sensitivity—its ability to detect those with the disease. A positive result from the Syantra DX Breast Cancer test would necessitate further confirmation through a pathologist's biopsy. The researchers envision this test to become a global resource, particularly in underserved areas or where traditional imaging is not easily accessible, enhancing regular screening practices. A simple blood test in a local clinic, not requiring a visit to a specialized imaging facility, could significantly improve adherence to routine screening.

“This new liquid biopsy, or blood test, has the potential to detect breast cancer at a very early stage. Early diagnosis means treatment can start sooner when it is most effective, saving lives,” said the study’s principal investigator Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli. “We want to make it easier for women to be screened for breast cancer. This new area of technology for detecting cancer in the blood is very important.”

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Weill Cornell Medicine