Chinese company develops new technologies for early detection of cancer

BEIJING (Reuters) – China's largest supplier of gene sequences based in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, said it has developed two early cancer detection techniques.

One of the techniques has the ability to detect the level of genetic mutation and its similarity to the DNA of tumors propagated in the blood plasma, and thus assess the risk of various cancers, such as cancers of the lung, liver, ovary, pancreas, colon, rectum and other cancers, said Zhu Shida, oncologist of the company.

However, the screening technique is difficult for large-scale clinical use because of high costs, as it is suitable for the most at-risk groups.

On the other hand, another, less expensive technology focuses on early detection of colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers in China.

Previous study results based on the size of a small sample showed that both of these screening techniques have a sensitivity greater than 80% in the detection of colorectal cancer by means of blood tests.

Zhu said that they needed a larger sample to check and improve the performance of both technologies, further expand clinical trials and improve sensitivity.

Deng Pei-rong, colorectal surgeon at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, said the two technologies would facilitate early detection of cancer, but colonoscopy remains the most effective way to detect colorectal cancer .

"New BGA technologies require more research and testing," said Ding.

The latest report on the cancer epidemic in China, published by the National Cancer Center, revealed that China has long been engulfed in the fight against cancer. Some 2.34 million people died of cancer in 2015, and the number of cancer deaths in the country has increased by 2.5% over a year for more than a decade to a year. in 2015.

BGI, founded in 1999, specializes in genome research in the health, agriculture and environmental sectors.