The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: ### Breakthrough in Cancer Care: New Liquid Biopsy Detects Tiny DNA Amounts to Monitor Treatment A groundbreaking **liquid biopsy** blood test now identifies minuscule traces of cancer DNA, enabling doctors to track treatment progress and forecast its effectiveness in real time. This non-invasive innovation, highlighted in recent Associated Press coverage, analyzes **circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)** released from dying cancer cells into the bloodstream.[1][4] Unlike invasive tissue biopsies, it requires just a simple blood draw, making it ideal for ongoing monitoring without surgery.[2][3] **Early detection challenges overcome.** Traditional liquid biopsies struggle with early-stage cancers due to low cfDNA levels, but new approaches using **RNA modifications** boost accuracy to 95% for colorectal cancer, as shown in University of Chicago research.[1] This addresses the core issue: insufficient tumor DNA in early disease phases.[1] **Personalized treatment insights.** Tests like Mayo Clinic's LiquidHALLMARK® profile 80 genes for ctDNA mutations and 10 for ctRNA fusions across 15 cancer types, increasing actionable findings by 15.6% over DNA-only methods.[2] Results return in 8-12 days with ultra-low detection limits, aiding rapid therapy adjustments.[2] **Proven monitoring power.** By tracking ctDNA changes, these biopsies evaluate treatment response, detect recurrence, and guide targeted therapies—deemed medically necessary for advanced cases like NSCLC per clinical guidelines.[4] For instance, OHSU's pancreatic cancer test identifies 73% of cases pre-symptomatically with 98% healthy accuracy.[3] **Broader applications emerging.** From epigenetic instability measures for early detection[7] to multi-cancer screens like Galleri[5][6], liquid biopsies are transforming oncology by providing tumor "footprints" in blood for prognosis and surveillance.[3][4] This AP-sourced advance promises fewer invasive procedures and better outcomes, positioning **liquid biopsies** as a pillar of modern cancer management.[1][2][4] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9