| American researchers have developed a blood | | | | biomarker levels initially declined and then rose |
| test that can detect whether a patient's cancer | | | | again, suggesting cancer reoccurrence. |
| has spread or reoccurred. The test is customized | | | | While the rest remains costly and in its initial |
| based on an individual's genetic mapping, making it | | | | stages as of now, medical researchers are |
| an exciting new innovation in the world of cancer | | | | hopeful that they can develop the test to |
| treatment. | | | | eventually detect cancerous tumors before they |
| In a study recently published in the Science | | | | grow too large. They also hope to reduce the |
| Translational Medicine journal, researchers first | | | | cost of the test as they refine the technology. |
| examined the DNA of normal and cancerous | | | | In the near future, such genetic testing might |
| tissues from several patients with different types | | | | offer new hope for cancer patients. It is |
| of cancer. Next, they looked for signals of | | | | remarkable that such a blood test, which was |
| tumors, such as extra copies of DNA or fused | | | | unthinkable before the mapping of DNA, could be |
| chromosomes, in their genetic sequence. If such | | | | developed and implemented for cancer treatment |
| markers were found, then they examined the | | | | and possibly prevention. Indeed, it appears that |
| patient's blood to look for cancer remnants, | | | | testing of genetic codes can tell us more than |
| finding them in two out of six cancer patients. | | | | ever thought possible and hopefully lead to new |
| The researchers tested again after the cancer | | | | break through in the fight of cancer. |
| had been removed from these patients. Genetic | | | | |