Israeli Researchers Develop Affordable Blood Test to Detect Lung Cancer Early

Lung cancer remains the deadliest cancer worldwide, with survival rates heavily dependent on early detection. While treatments have advanced, identifying the disease before symptoms appear is critical. Lung cancer primarily divides into non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common type, and the more aggressive small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Smoking is the main risk factor, but exposure to passive smoke, air pollution, radon gas, hazardous workplace materials, and genetics also contribute.

Currently, low-dose CT scans are the primary tool for early lung cancer diagnosis, proven to reduce mortality but costly and sometimes leading to unnecessary invasive follow-ups due to false positives. To address this, a promising alternative called liquid biopsy analyzes free-floating DNA in the blood for cancer signatures. However, existing DNA sequencing methods are expensive and complex.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a novel, simpler, and cheaper technique that detects lung cancer's chemical "fingerprint" in blood DNA using light-based signals rather than sequencing. This method attaches fluorescent molecules to cancer-related DNA changes and reads the pattern with a specialized DNA chip. In a study involving 103 participants (51 lung cancer patients and 52 healthy controls), the test correctly identified 93.1% of cancer cases in stages 2 to 4 and accurately classified 90.3% of healthy individuals. It also distinguished between the two main lung cancer subtypes.

Preliminary findings suggest the test might monitor treatment response, as DNA signatures shifted toward healthy patterns in responding patients. However, this requires further validation with larger studies. The test currently takes two to three days and costs about $60 per sample, significantly less than sequencing-based methods.

Though not intended to replace CT scans yet, this blood test could become a complementary, accessible tool for early detection and treatment monitoring. The technology is being advanced by JaxBio Technologies, which has raised $12 million and is conducting clinical trials in Israel and Europe. Further research is needed to confirm accuracy and clinical utility before routine medical use. The goal is to provide doctors with an additional, affordable biological insight to improve lung cancer diagnosis and care.