Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer affecting women worldwide. It is a complex disease that has various subtypes with different molecular and genetic characteristics, making it difficult to predict the likelihood of relapse.

However, a new blood test has been developed that can predict the risk of breast cancer relapse with a high degree of accuracy.

What is the new blood test?

The new blood test is called EpiSign, and it was developed by researchers at the University of Leicester and Imperial College London. It uses a machine-learning algorithm to analyze DNA methylation patterns in the blood.

DNA methylation is a chemical modification that occurs on the DNA molecule and is known to play a role in regulating gene expression.

The EpiSign test analyzes DNA methylation patterns in three genes that are involved in breast cancer progression. These genes are called PGR, ESR1, and HER2.

The test measures the methylation levels in these genes and combines them with other clinical factors, such as the stage of the cancer and the patient’s age, to predict the risk of relapse.

How accurate is the test?

The researchers tested the EpiSign blood test on blood samples from over 900 patients with early-stage breast cancer who had undergone surgery to remove the tumor. They followed up with the patients for up to 15 years to track their cancer outcomes.

They found that the EpiSign test was able to predict the risk of relapse with a high degree of accuracy.

Specifically, the test accurately identified patients who were at a high risk of relapse and who would benefit from additional treatment, such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

According to the researchers, the EpiSign test was able to identify 70% of patients who would relapse within five years, and 80% of patients who would relapse within 10 years.

These results are significantly better than current methods of predicting the risk of relapse, which rely on clinical factors alone.

What are the implications of the new blood test?

The EpiSign blood test could have significant implications for the treatment of breast cancer.

Currently, patients with early-stage breast cancer undergo surgery to remove the tumor, followed by radiation therapy and possibly chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

However, not all patients with early-stage breast cancer are at the same risk of relapse.

Some patients have a lower risk of relapse and may not need additional treatment, while others have a higher risk of relapse and would benefit from additional treatment.

The EpiSign blood test could help identify which patients are at a high risk of relapse and would benefit from additional treatment.

This would prevent overtreatment of patients who do not need it and ensure that patients who are at a high risk of relapse receive the appropriate treatment.

When will the test be available?

The EpiSign blood test is still in the development stage and has not yet been approved for clinical use.

However, the researchers are working to obtain regulatory approval for the test and hope that it will be available for widespread use within a few years.

Conclusion

The EpiSign blood test is a promising new tool for predicting the risk of relapse in patients with early-stage breast cancer.

The test has shown a high degree of accuracy in identifying patients who are at a high risk of relapse and would benefit from additional treatment. If approved for clinical use, the test could have significant implications for the treatment of breast cancer and improve outcomes for patients.