This Liquid Biopsy Can Rule Out Early-Stage Lung Cancer

A new study has confirmed the accuracy of a liquid biopsy that can help rule out early-stage lung cancer. Published in the journal CHEST, the PANOPTIC clinical trial validated the Xpresys Lung 2 (XL2) test developed by Seattle-based Integrated Diagnostics. The test can detect two blood plasma proteins that are indicative of cancer in otherwise difficult-to-biopsy lung nodules measuring 8 to 30 mm. About 1.6 million pulmonary nodules are detected each year in the United States, and more than 90% of those smaller than two centimeters (around 3/4 inch) in diameter are benign, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Current detection methods include PET scans, bronchoscopy, needle biopsy, and surgery. Physicians can often detect whether a patient is at high risk for cancer, but have difficulty determining when a small lung nodule is benign, said Integrated Diagnostics president Albert Luderer, PhD. Patients determined by traditional means to be at low risk are often put into a “watchful waiting” category to be re-tested over time. The XL2 test might help patients with low-to-moderate risk of cancer to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures, Luderer said. Study co-authors Paul Kearney, PhD, and Steven Springmeyer, MD, conducted two prospective studies, one for discovery and the other for validation, focusing only on Stage 1A lung nodules, the most difficult nodules to assess. Their 2013 study of 143 patients at four U.S. sites used an earlier version of XL2 and looked for the prese...
Source: MDDI - Category: Medical Devices Authors: Tags: IVD Source Type: news