Blood test can detect cancer with few false positives, says Grail Inc.

Many companies are trying to develop "liquid biopsy" early detection tests that capture DNA fragments that cancer cells release into the bloodstream.

On Thursday, scientists at Johns Hopkins University launched a company called Thrive Earlier Detection Corp. to develop his CancerSEEK test, which gave results similar to those of Grail more than a year ago.

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Grail is closely watched because of the extraordinary investment he has attracted – more than a billion dollars from Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and other celebrities.

The new findings included 2,300 people, 60% of whom had cancer and 40% of whom did not know about cancer. The test detected 55% of known cancers and triggered false alarms for 1%. The detection rate was better – 76% – for a dozen cancers that together account for nearly two-thirds of cancer deaths in the United States, including lung, pancreatic, oesophageal and ovarian cancers.

The test revealed only about one-third of the cancers at the very beginning of the disease, but as much as 84% ​​had begun to spread, but not on a large scale.

He also suggested that cancer could be present in 94% of cases and was right about 90% of the time.

That's the most encouraging part, because you do not want to tell people that they can have cancer, and then you have to do a lot of other testing to determine where, said Dr. Richard Schilsky, chief medical officer of the oncology society.

"They still have a long way to go" to prove the value of the test as a screening tool, but these results are encouraging, he said.

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"I have no doubt that in the next few years we will probably have a real early screening test," but the technology still needs to be improved and tried in large groups of people without known cancer where the detection rate may not be as Good, he said.

The biggest question, he said, is "is it going to make a difference in terms of results," like whether it helps people to live longer, the ultimate measure of the value of life? 39, a screening test?

The Grail test has not been compared to mammography, colonoscopy or other screening tools and is not intended to replace them, said company scientist Dr. Alex Aravanis. Many fatal cancers detected by the Grail test do not have a screening test, he noted.

It is unclear what evidence the US Food and Drug Administration would need to review for approval. Sometimes, tests can be sold via more flexible laboratory accreditation procedures, rather than seeking FDA approval.

Grail and Thrive already have more important studies going on.

"We will not diagnose all cancers," but that may not be necessary because many of them are not found until it is Be too late for effective treatment, said Dr. Minetta Liu, a cancer specialist at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Conference.

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