A team of researchers in the United Kingdom has developed a pioneering blood test that can detect and monitor lung cancer in real time. This breakthrough aims to reduce diagnostic delays and improve patient outcomes by identifying individual cancer cells in a patient's bloodstream. The technique, called Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy, offers a simpler, more affordable, and faster way to track the disease.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]} ### Innovative Infrared Technology Pinpoints Cancer Cells The new method combines advanced infrared scanning technology with computer analysis to find circulating tumor cells (CTCs). These are cancer cells that detach from a tumor and travel through the blood. Researchers from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM), Keele University, and Loughborough University collaborated on this project. Their study, published in the journal *Applied Spectroscopy*, details how the test works.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]} The test identifies these CTCs by focusing on their "chemical fingerprint." Different chemicals absorb infrared light in unique ways. Cancer cells have a distinct absorption pattern that the infrared beam can detect. The process involves shining a powerful infrared beam, similar to a TV remote control but much stronger, onto a blood sample. Computer analysis then quickly determines if circulating tumor cells are present.^{[2][3][4][5][6]} This approach allows doctors to obtain vital clues about how lung cancer is progressing and how well treatments are working. Current methods for detecting CTCs can be complicated, expensive, and time-consuming. They also sometimes miss cancer cells because these cells can change their characteristics while in the bloodstream. The new UK test uses standard glass slides already found in pathology labs, making it easier to adopt into daily clinical practice.^{[2][3][4][5][6]} Professor Josep Sulé-Suso, an Associate Specialist in Oncology at UHNM and lead author of the study, highlighted the potential impact. He said the approach could help patients receive earlier diagnoses, more personalized treatments, and fewer invasive procedures. He also noted its potential application to many other types of cancer beyond lung cancer. ^[2][3][4][6] ### Liquid Biopsies Transform Cancer Detection This UK breakthrough is part of a broader field known as liquid biopsy, which analyzes tumor biomarkers in bodily fluids like blood. Liquid biopsies represent a significant advancement because they are non-invasive, meaning they do not require surgical procedures like traditional tissue biopsies. They offer a convenient and low-risk diagnostic approach for cancer patients. ^{[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]} Traditional tissue biopsies provide a snapshot of the tumor at a single moment. However, liquid biopsies can be performed repeatedly, allowing for continuous, real-time monitoring of cancer evolution. This includes early detection, assessing response to treatment, and identifying the emergence of drug resistance. This capability helps overcome the spatial and temporal limitations of tumor heterogeneity, where different parts of a tumor can have different characteristics. ^{[9][10][12][13][14][15]} Liquid biopsies analyze various components shed by tumors into the bloodstream, such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), RNA, and proteins. These components provide valuable information about the tumor's genetic makeup, including mutations and other genomic changes. By tracking these changes, clinicians can better tailor treatments and make timely adjustments. ^{[8][10][11][12][16][13][14]} ### Other Advancements in Blood-Based Lung Cancer Tests Several other blood tests are also advancing lung cancer detection and monitoring. Guardant Health, for example, is conducting the SHIELD LUNG study, a large-scale study involving nearly 10,000 patients across 100 centers in the United States and Europe. This study evaluates the performance of its Guardant SHIELD blood test for detecting lung cancer in high-risk individuals aged 50 to 80. ^[17][18][19]Guardant Health also offers Guardant Reveal for minimal residual disease detection and recurrence monitoring in early-stage lung cancer, and Guardant360 Liquid for comprehensive genomic and epigenomic insights. ^[16] Exact Sciences recently launched its Cancerguard multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test in September 2025. This test can detect signals from over 50 cancer types, including lung, pancreatic, ovarian, liver, esophageal, and stomach cancers, which account for more than 80 percent of annual U.S. cancer diagnoses. ^[20][21]In test-development studies, Cancerguard showed 64 percent overall sensitivity across a broad range of cancers (excluding breast and prostate) and 97.4 percent specificity, helping to minimize false positives. ^[21]The test costs $689 and is recommended for individuals aged 50-84 with no known cancer diagnosis in the past three years, with annual testing possible. ^[21] Another blood test, LungCanSeek, integrates artificial intelligence (AI) with four protein markers. It demonstrated promising performance for early lung cancer detection with 83.5% sensitivity and 90.3% specificity in studies. ^[22]Researchers at the University of Kansas have also developed a biosensor technology that detects protease enzyme activity, identifying early-stage lung cancer with 90% accuracy. ^[23] GRAIL's Galleri test is another multi-cancer early detection blood test available, designed to screen for over 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear. It identifies DNA fragments circulating in the blood and uses a machine learning algorithm to determine if they originate from cancer cells, predicting the cancer's likely origin with 93.4% accuracy. ^{[24][25][26][27]}However, its sensitivity for detecting Stage 1 cancers is currently 17%, and its overall sensitivity across all cancers and stages is 51%. ^[24]The NHS is currently assessing the Galleri test in large-scale clinical trials in England. ^[24][28] ### Impact on Patient Care and Future Outlook The development of these advanced blood tests holds immense promise for transforming lung cancer care. Early detection is critical for improving survival rates, as lung cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited. By providing a non-invasive, faster, and more accessible screening method, these tests could significantly increase the number of cancers found at an early, more treatable stage. ^{[22][23][29][30][12][31][32][19]} For instance, the Mercy Halo blood test has shown performance comparable to low-dose CT screening, detecting 31% of lung cancers one year before in-trial diagnosis. This suggests its potential to reach populations currently underscreened by traditional methods. ^[31] The ability to monitor treatment response in real time also means doctors can adjust therapies more quickly if a patient is not responding well, or if new mutations develop. This leads to more personalized and effective treatment strategies. Researchers are continuing to refine these technologies to improve their sensitivity and specificity, aiming for their widespread integration into routine clinical practice. ^{[8][10][11][12][13][14][15]} While many of these tests are still undergoing further research and validation, their potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and management is clear. These innovations offer new hope for earlier diagnoses, tailored treatments, and ultimately, better outcomes for patients battling lung cancer and potentially many other forms of cancer.

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