Dr Atul Narayankar

Health and Me

Pancreatic Cancer May Leave Molecular Clues In Your Blood: How The New Liquid Biopsy Works

<span>Pancreatic <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a></span> is one of the cancers doctors find particularly difficult to detect early. The pancreas lies deep inside the abdomen, and early disease may cause few or vague symptoms. By the time symptoms such as jaundice, unexplained weight loss, abdominal or back pain or persistent digestive problems become apparent, the disease may already be advanced. 

<h2>What Is PANXEON, The New <span rel="noindex">Liquid Biopsy</span>?</h2>

This is why the findings of a new international study on PANXEON, an investigational liquid <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/contraceptive-coil-saved-my-life-womans-persistent-abdominal-pain-led-her-to-ovarian-cancer-diagnosis-article-156346853" data-type="tilCustomLink">biopsy</a>, are attracting attention. Published in Nature Medicine, the study evaluated 1,785 people across four countries and explored whether a blood sample could identify early pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common form of pancreatic <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a></span>.

The principle behind the test is relatively simple. Cancer cells release molecular material into the bloodstream. PANXEON looks at a group of tiny molecules called microRNAs, including those carried inside microscopic packages called exosomes. These molecules can provide molecular clues about what is happening in the pancreas. The test combines this microRNA signature with CA19-9, a blood marker already used in pancreatic cancer, particularly for monitoring patients, although CA19-9 alone is not suitable as a general screening test.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/dr-rachna-shroff-indian-american-cancer-researcher-who-turned-her-diagnosis-into-advocacy-article-156349587" data-type="tilCustomLink">Dr Rachna Shroff: Indian-American Cancer Researcher Who Turned Her Diagnosis Into Advocacy</a>

In the study, the microRNA test detected early-stage <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/us-womans-pancreatic-cancer-spotted-on-routine-heart-scan-how-it-saved-her-life-article-156325224" data-type="tilCustomLink">pancreatic cancer</a> with a sensitivity of 83.8%. When combined with CA19-9, PANXEON reached 86.8% sensitivity for stage I-II disease. Importantly, false-positive rates were 3.2% among low-risk controls and 15.6% among high-risk controls. The researchers also reported that the test showed potential for identifying high-grade dysplasia in people with high-risk pancreatic cysts. 

For India, this research is relevant because pancreatic cancer, although less common than several other major cancers, represents a significant clinical challenge. India’s National Cancer Registry Programme estimated about 21,000 pancreatic cancer cases in 2022. Globally, GLOBOCAN estimated more than 510,000 new cases in the same year.

<h2>Is PANXEON Ready For Routine Screening? </h2>

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But there is an important caveat: PANXEON is not yet a routine screening test. There is currently no standard screening test recommended for people at average risk of pancreatic cancer. Screening is generally considered for selected high-risk individuals, such as those with significant family histories or certain inherited genetic risks.

The new findings therefore represent a promising research direction, rather than a test people should independently seek out today. A useful early-detection test must work reliably in much larger, diverse populations and demonstrate that detecting cancer earlier actually improves outcomes. 

For patients and doctors, however, the concept is important. Instead of waiting for a tumour to become large enough to produce obvious symptoms or visible changes on imaging, researchers are increasingly asking whether the molecular footprints of cancer can be detected in a simple blood sample. PANXEON is one more step towards answering that question.

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Pancreatic cancer is one of the cancers doctors find particularly difficult to detect early. The pancreas lies deep inside the abdomen, and early disease may cause few or vague symptoms. By the time symptoms such as jaundice, unexplained weight loss, abdominal or back pain or persistent digestive problems become apparent, the disease may already be advanced. What Is PANXEON, The New Liquid Biopsy?This is why the findings of a new international study on PANXEON, an investigational liquid biopsy, are attracting attention. Published in Nature Medicine, the study evaluated 1,785 people across four countries and explored whether a blood sample could identify early pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common form of pancreatic cancer.The principle behind the test is relatively simple. Cancer cells release molecular material into the bloodstream. PANXEON looks at a group of tiny molecules called microRNAs, including those carried inside microscopic packages called exosomes. These molecules can provide molecular clues about what is happening in the pancreas. The test combines this microRNA signature with CA19-9, a blood marker already used in pancreatic cancer, particularly for monitoring patients, although CA19-9 alone is not suitable as a general screening test.Also read: Dr Rachna Shroff: Indian-American Cancer Researcher Who Turned Her Diagnosis Into AdvocacyIn the study, the microRNA test detected early-stage pancreatic cancer with a sensitivity of 83.8%. When combined with CA19-9, PANXEON reached 86.8% sensitivity for stage I-II disease. Importantly, false-positive rates were 3.2% among low-risk controls and 15.6% among high-risk controls. The researchers also reported that the test showed potential for identifying high-grade dysplasia in people with high-risk pancreatic cysts. For India, this research is relevant because pancreatic cancer, although less common than several other major cancers, represents a significant clinical challenge. India’s National Cancer Registry Programme estimated about 21,000 pancreatic cancer cases in 2022. Globally, GLOBOCAN estimated more than 510,000 new cases in the same year.Is PANXEON Ready For Routine Screening?    But there is an important caveat: PANXEON is not yet a routine screening test. There is currently no standard screening test recommended for people at average risk of pancreatic cancer. Screening is generally considered for selected high-risk individuals, such as those with significant family histories or certain inherited genetic risks.The new findings therefore represent a promising research direction, rather than a test people should independently seek out today. A useful early-detection test must work reliably in much larger, diverse populations and demonstrate that detecting cancer earlier actually improves outcomes. For patients and doctors, however, the concept is important. Instead of waiting for a tumour to become large enough to produce obvious symptoms or visible changes on imaging, researchers are increasingly asking whether the molecular footprints of cancer can be detected in a simple blood sample. PANXEON is one more step towards answering that question.

pancreatic cancer may leave molecular clues in your blood: how the new liquid biopsy works

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Pancreatic Cancer May Leave Molecular Clues In Your Blood: How The New Liquid Biopsy Works

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