Scientists Use Blood DNA To Detect Early Stage Liver Cancer

April 17, 2007 – 1:12 pm | posted in Blood / Hematology, Cancer / Oncology, Genetics, Liver Disease / Hepatitis

US scientists have found a way of detecting early liver cancer by testing blood DNA. This is the first study of its kind to use potential biomarkers to find early stage liver carcinomas in high risk groups, including people infected with chronic hepatitis B and C.

The study is being published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.

Most hepatocellular or liver carcinomas (HCC) are not found until well developed and fatal. Nearly half a million new cases occur worldwide every year, with almost the same number of fatalities, reflecting the lack of effective early detection and treatment options.

Incidence of HCC are highest in East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, and on the rise in the US mainly due to increase in Hepatitis C.

Scientists at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York, used DNA isolated from serum samples as a baseline biomarker to detect tumour suppressor gene changes that might signal early-stage HCC.

The team, was led by Dr Regina Santella, professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health, and director of the Columbia’s NIEHS Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan.

They used data from a cohort of patients on a cancer screening programme based in Taiwan. The programme followed 12,000 male and over 11,900 female patients recruited between 1991 and 1992 who were giving periodic blood samples before diagnosis.

Dr Santella and her team found changes in serum DNA that they think were signs of early stage liver tumours between 1 and 9 years before clinical diagnosis.

Previous research already shows that age, hepatitis B and C are risk factors for HCC. Using these and the serum DNA changes, the study “resulted in an overall predictive accuracy of 89 per cent for detection of HCC”.

Dr Santella said:

“These are extremely encouraging findings. Having the tools to identify hepatocellular carcinoma at earlier stages, is truly a breakthrough for addressing the challenges that result from this highly lethal form of cancer.”

The team had already found in previous studies that exposure to several environmental factors were significantly linked with HCC development.

These factors include: aflatoxin B1, a dietary mold contaminant sometimes present in peanuts and corn; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ubiquitous environmental contaminants; and 4-aminobiphenyl, a carcinogen in cigarette smoke.

Dr Santella and colleagues said they were excited about the findings, not only because of what it means for HCC but also in that it may be possible to use the method for early detection of other types of cancer.

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