We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
RANDOX LABORATORIES

Download Mobile App




Blood Test Uses Infrared Light to Detect Brain Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 23 Oct 2023
Print article
Image: The Dxcover platform detects the presence or absence of disease in minutes (Photo courtesy of Dxcover)
Image: The Dxcover platform detects the presence or absence of disease in minutes (Photo courtesy of Dxcover)

Every year, more than 86,000 new brain cancer cases are identified globally, and these tend to be more costly to treat initially than other types of cancer. The average life span is cut short by about 20 years due to brain tumors. An early diagnosis greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and a better quality of life. However, in primary healthcare settings, diagnosing brain cancer is extremely challenging. Most patients exhibit symptoms that are vague and usually not immediately life-threatening, making it tough to determine who needs further, expensive testing like brain scans. Now, an innovative liquid biopsy using spectroscopy offers a quick, affordable, and accurate method for doctors to test for brain cancer, cutting down on delays for additional tests and treatments.

Dxcover’s (Glasgow, UK) brain cancer blood test utilizes infrared light on blood samples to assess whether a patient is likely to have cancer. This approach is grounded in research showing that the interplay between the light and molecules in the blood can generate a biological signal. This signal is then analyzed using machine learning to ascertain if the patient has cancer. In the test, a tiny amount of blood serum is dried onto a specialized Dxcover Slide and then examined using infrared light. All critical data, including how the body is responding to potential illness, is recorded. An AI algorithm quickly processes this information, even offering insight into the type and intensity of the tumor, helping healthcare providers to prioritize treatment plans more effectively.

In a 2021 study, the test successfully identified glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive form of brain tumor, with 91% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Overall, the test had an 81% sensitivity rate for all kinds of brain tumors. Dxcover is continually fine-tuning the test's accuracy for various applications. The highly sensitive nature of the test enables doctors to efficiently triage patients and rule out cancer as a cause for their symptoms. Dxcover plans to introduce its blood test in Europe to aid in the assessment of patients showing symptoms of cancer. The company expects to finalize clinical trials and secure a CE Mark for the test’s commercial release in the European Union by 2025. Meanwhile, in the United States, the test's high specificity could prove instrumental in detecting brain cancer at an earlier stage, according to the company.

Related Links:
Dxcover

Platinum Member
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
Gold Member
ESR Analyzer
miniiSED™

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The 3D printed miniature ionizer is a key component of a mass spectrometer (Photo courtesy of MIT)

3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models

Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia)

Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns

Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Exosomes can be a promising biomarker for cellular rejection after organ transplant (Photo courtesy of Nicolas Primola/Shutterstock)

Diagnostic Blood Test for Cellular Rejection after Organ Transplant Could Replace Surgical Biopsies

Transplanted organs constantly face the risk of being rejected by the recipient's immune system which differentiates self from non-self using T cells and B cells. T cells are commonly associated with acute... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: Microscope image showing human colorectal cancer tumor with Fusobacterium nucleatum stained in a red-purple color (Photo courtesy of Fred Hutch Cancer Center)

Mouth Bacteria Test Could Predict Colon Cancer Progression

Colon cancer, a relatively common but challenging disease to diagnose, requires confirmation through a colonoscopy or surgery. Recently, there has been a worrying increase in colon cancer rates among younger... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: A new study has identified patterns that predict ovarian cancer relapse (Photo courtesy of Cedars-Sinai)

Spatial Tissue Analysis Identifies Patterns Associated With Ovarian Cancer Relapse

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma is the most lethal type of ovarian cancer, and it poses significant detection challenges. Typically, patients initially respond to surgery and chemotherapy, but the... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.