Researchers from Hong Kong are creating a new method for early detection of cancer based on the so-called liquid biopsy. The technology involves the analysis of blood samples and may become a less invasive alternative to traditional biopsy, which requires tissue sampling for examination.
The development is based on the study of DNA fragments circulating in the blood. According to scientists, the genetic material secreted by cancer cells is usually shorter than the DNA of healthy cells. The analysis of these differences makes it possible to identify the possible presence of malignant neoplasms in the early stages.
The new technique is expected to improve diagnostic accuracy and help reduce the number of patients who require invasive procedures. At the first stage, researchers are focused on detecting liver and prostate cancer, but in the future, the technology may be more widely used.
