Israeli Scientists Develop Blood Test for Early Breast Cancer Detection

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Weizmann Institute have developed a blood test capable of detecting early-stage breast cancer with 95% accuracy and predicting the risk of recurrence. This breakthrough, published in the journal Nature, addresses a long-standing goal for oncologists seeking reliable "liquid biopsy" methods.

The new test focuses on epigenetics, studying molecular markers that regulate gene activity. Scientists first analyzed the epigenetic signatures of tumors from 12 patients, examining DNA fragments released into the bloodstream by dying cells. By mapping epigenetic changes in millions of these fragments, they identified diagnostic patterns that were used to train an AI model.

When tested on blood samples from 77 Mayo Clinic patients with at least five years of follow-up, the AI model accurately identified early-stage tumors (under 2 cm) in 95% of cases. The test proved effective across different breast densities and cancer types, even identifying tumors that might be missed by mammography.

Furthermore, the researchers discovered that even non-aggressive tumors can contain a small population of aggressive cells with distinct epigenetic profiles. "The more frequently the epigenetic signature of aggressive cells appeared in the blood, the higher the risk of the disease returning," explained Professor Guy Ron, one of the study's leaders. The test predicted recurrence with 81% accuracy, identifying high-risk patients who might be misclassified by standard methods.

The research team is now exploring ways to target the epigenetic flexibility of cancer cells and potentially revert aggressive cells to a less harmful state, aiming to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.