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Early detection of liver cancer is now possible through a simple blood test, raising hopes for thousands of potential liver cancer patients across the globe.
Bangladeshi researchers and scientists shared the development at a dissemination seminar titled "Early Detection of Liver Cancer Patient through Simple Blood Test" held at a city hotel on Sunday.
The seminar was based on an article published in the high-impact peer-reviewed international journal Nature Communications.
HKG Epitherapeutics Ltd, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, and a team of eminent Bangladeshi clinicians and scientists conducted the research work.
The test identifies liver cancer through distinctive DNA methylation signatures and has the potential to revolutionise liver cancer detection in high-risk populations (that include people with liver diseases, type 2 diabetes and alcoholics).
Liver cancer, a prevalent global cancer, is often detected at advanced stages, leading to treatment challenges and reduced survival rates.
With the development, the morbidity and mortality rates associated with this cancer could be decreased, specialists hoped at the event.
The research group evaluated the assay on 554 clinical study participants, comprising liver cancer patients, non-liver cancer patients, individuals with chronic hepatitis B, and healthy controls.
The results revealed a liver cancer detection sensitivity of 84.5 per cent at 95 per cent specificity, demonstrating its promising potential for early liver cancer detection.
The developed assay uses sophisticated sequencing and multiplexing techniques to differentiate liver cancer samples from normal tissues, other blood samples, and non-liver cancer tumours, overcoming the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods.
Prof Moshe Szyf, the chairman of HKG Epitherapeutics Ltd and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, presented the keynote, Prof Dr Mamun Al Mahtab, a hepatologist at BSMMU, discussed the Bangladesh and global scenario regarding hepatitis and liver cancer; and icddr,b scientist Dr Wasif Ali Khan discussed the protocol title.
Prof Dr Sharfuddin Ahmed, vice-chancellor of BSMMU, graced the event with his presence as the chief guest.
Prof Dr Sharfuddin Ahmed said, "As we unite to combat liver cancer, this innovative assay, rooted in distinctive DNA methylation signatures, holds the promise to positively impact high-risk populations, reducing the burden of this prevalent cancer."
Prof Moshe Szyf stated, "Our developed high-throughput assay represents an innovative step forward in cancer detection."
Prof Dr Mamun Al Mahtab, who led this research from BSMMU, said, "While further study is required, this development represents a substantial stride towards a standard early detection tool for individuals at high risk of liver cancer, with the ability to considerably reduce the disease's impact on people at risk of developing liver cancer".
Dr. Wasif Ali Khan said this test will significantly reduce the burden of liver cancer and create a healthier future.