Researchers report an assay that uses cell-free DNA mutations and protein biomarkers in blood plasma to detect hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in asymptomatic, high-risk populations; in a sample of 331 hepatitis B virus-infected individuals, ages 35-69, who were negative for HCC based on traditional screening methods, 17% of individuals who tested positive and none of the individuals who tested negative were subsequently diagnosed with HCC, according to the authors.
###
Article #18-19799: "Detection of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma in asymptomatic HBsAg-seropositive individuals by liquid biopsy," by Chunfeng Qu et al .
MEDIA CONTACT: Chunfeng Qu, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, CHINA; tel: +86-10-8778-3103, +86-185 1319 8563; e-mail: quchf@cicams.ac.cn ; Yuchen Jiao, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, CHINA; tel: +86-185 0061 1157; e-mail: jiaoyuchen@126.com
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences