Blood Test Accurately Detects Stage 1 Lung & Breast Cancers

Taking less than an hour, a simple blood test developed by Kansas State University (Kansas, USA) is able to accurately detect breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancers before symptoms manifest.  Stefan Bossmann and colleagues devised a technology that detects increased enzyme activity in the body.  Iron nanoparticles coated with amino acids and a dye are introduced to small amounts of blood or urine from a patient. The amino acids and dye interact with enzymes in the patient’s urine or blood sample. Each type of cancer produces a specific enzyme pattern, or signature, that can be identified by doctors. Once the test is administered, comprehensive results — which include enzyme patterns — are produced in roughly 60 minutes.  The team has also designed a second testing method that is anticipated to produce the same results in about five minutes. Also, the team anticipates adding the capacity to test for the early stages of pancreatic cancer shortly