New Blood Test Offers Affordable and Accurate Early Detection of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, largely because most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited. Early detection significantly improves survival, yet current screening methods like low-dose CT (LDCT) scans are expensive, inaccessible in many regions, and prone to high false-positive rates. Now, a new blood-based test offers an affordable, accurate, and non-invasive solution capable of detecting lung cancer early and reducing unnecessary imaging procedures.

SeekIn Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA) has developed LungCanSeek, a novel diagnostic test that uses four protein markers, namely CEA, CYFRA 21-1, ProGRP, and SCCA, combined with artificial intelligence (AI) to detect lung cancer and its subtypes. The test integrates standard laboratory techniques and widely available reagents, making it simple and cost-efficient to implement globally. A multicenter study, which enrolled 1,814 participants, including 1,095 lung cancer patients, validated its accuracy and affordability across diverse populations.

In the study, the researchers analyzed blood samples for four protein markers. The AI-driven algorithm combined protein marker levels with participant age and gender to detect lung cancer and its subtypes. This approach enabled accurate identification of lung cancer presence and subtype classification, distinguishing between lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The test’s performance was assessed across both early and late stages of the disease.

The results, published in Translational Lung Cancer Research, showed that LungCanSeek achieved 83.5% sensitivity and 90.3% specificity for lung cancer detection, with a 77.4% accuracy rate in classifying subtypes. Sensitivity for early-stage cancers reached 67.2%, marking a critical step toward improving survival through earlier intervention. The study also demonstrated the test’s cost-effectiveness, estimating reagent expenses at only USD15 per test, which is significantly lower than traditional imaging-based screenings.

A two-step screening model was proposed in which high-risk individuals undergo LungCanSeek testing first, and only positive cases proceed to LDCT scans. This approach reduced false positives by more than tenfold and cut screening costs by 2.5 times compared to LDCT alone. The method has the potential to transform large-scale screening programs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to advanced imaging is limited.

The researchers noted that the technology could be seamlessly integrated into national cancer screening programs, boosting early detection rates while easing healthcare system burdens. Its simplicity, high diagnostic precision, and affordability make it a viable candidate for global implementation and a cornerstone of future preventive oncology strategies.

“LungCanSeek’s performance surpasses many existing blood-based and imaging-only screening approaches,” said Dr. Mao Mao, Founder and CEO of SeekIn Inc. “Its affordability and ease of use make it especially valuable for expanding early lung cancer detection in resource-constrained settings.”

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