New blood tests utilize DNA methylation to detect multiple cancers

Researchers have developed advanced blood-based tests that utilize DNA methylation patterns to detect various cancers and organ damage. This method, known as MethylScan, analyzes chemical tags on cell-free DNA fragments circulating in the bloodstream to identify the tissue of origin.

In a study involving 1,061 participants, the MethylScan approach demonstrated 98% specificity and detected approximately 63% of cancers overall, including 55% of early-stage cases. It also showed high efficacy in identifying liver cancer in high-risk individuals and distinguishing various liver conditions.

Separately, researchers at Tel Aviv University led by Prof. Yuval Ebenstein developed a lung cancer blood test that identifies chemical changes in DNA without expensive sequencing. In a study of 103 people, the test achieved 93.1% sensitivity and 90.3% specificity for detecting stage 2-4 lung cancers. The technology can distinguish between different types of non-small cell lung cancer, such as adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.