TL;DR:
- Delfi, founded by Victor Velculescu and led by Peter Bach, pioneers a lung cancer blood test.
- Based on cfDNA fragmentation research from a 2019 paper.
- Achieves high sensitivity (up to 100% in lung cancer) and 98% specificity.
- 68% sensitivity in detecting stage I cancers.
- Identifies the lung as a likely tumor site in 77% of cases.
- Launching FirstLook Lung test in the U.S. for early cancer detection.
- Test results: “elevated” or “not elevated” with a 99.7% negative predictive value.
Main AI News:
In the realm of cutting-edge medical advancements, Delfi has emerged as a pioneer, aiming to revolutionize the way we detect lung cancer. Founded by Victor Velculescu, the co-director of cancer genetics and epigenetics at Johns Hopkins University, and steered by Peter Bach, the former physician at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Delfi has unveiled a groundbreaking blood test that holds the promise of transforming early cancer detection.
This innovation stems from a pivotal 2019 paper in Nature Research, co-authored by Velculescu himself, which laid the foundation for utilizing cfDNA (cell-free DNA) fragmentation as a means to identify cancer. At that juncture, researchers recognized the potential of analyzing the size of cfDNA fragments to surmount the limitations of tests focused on chromosomal abnormalities, a rarity in cancer cases. However, the analysis of fragment size had previously yielded conflicting results.
The 2019 breakthrough revealed a striking revelation: genome-wide cfDNA fragmentation profiles diverge significantly between patients with cancer and their healthy counterparts. Armed with this pivotal insight, Delfi embarked on a mission to develop a revolutionary test.
This test, applied across various tumor types, has delivered remarkable results. Sensitivities have ranged from an impressive 57% in breast cancer to a staggering 100% in lung cancer, all while maintaining an impressive 98% specificity rate. Of particular significance, the test demonstrated a remarkable 68% sensitivity in detecting cancers at stage I, a critical juncture known for its potential to dramatically improve patient outcomes. Furthermore, the test showcased its prowess by accurately identifying the lung as one of the two most likely sites of the tumor in an astounding 77% of cases.
Building upon this pioneering research, Delfi has unveiled “FirstLook Lung,” a game-changing lung cancer test poised to enter the healthcare landscape this fall in the United States. The initial launch is part of an early experience program, setting the stage for a transformative shift in cancer detection.
The FirstLook Lung test offers patients one of two crucial results: “elevated” or “not elevated.” An elevated result signifies an increased likelihood that a low-dose CT scan will successfully detect a lung tumor. Importantly, the test boasts a remarkable 99.7% negative predictive value, instilling confidence in its ability to rule out false positives. While Delfi’s statement does not provide a positive predictive value, the implications of this groundbreaking advancement are nothing short of revolutionary.
Conclusion:
Delfi’s FirstLook Lung test represents a groundbreaking advancement in early cancer detection, offering high sensitivity and specificity. With its potential to identify lung cancer at an early stage and its promising negative predictive value, it could significantly impact the healthcare market by improving patient outcomes and reducing unnecessary procedures. This innovation holds the potential to transform the landscape of lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.
