DNA for early detection of cancer and pregnancy complications

A certain number of future cancers and pregnancy complications may be detected early with a simple blood test. This is exactly what follows from a new study by K.W. Leuven. The test is based on so-called cell-free DNA present in the blood.

In addition to the DNA contained in the nuclei of our cells, extracellular DNA also circulates in the blood. These tiny fragments of DNA contain important information about our health, including information that doctors can use to diagnose patients at an early stage, new research by geneticist Joris Vermes (KU Leuven) shows.

Mr. Vermish was instrumental in the development and launch of the popular NIP (Non-Invasive Prenatal Test) test, which pregnant women can do to check whether their baby is at risk of Down or Edwards syndrome. A mother’s blood test checks the number of chromosomes in the fetus.

The new method, developed by a geneticist, is based on the NIP test technique. “In the NIP test we count the number of DNA fragments,” explains Professor Vermeesch. “Now we have begun to analyze the structures themselves. It turns out we can extract a lot of information from small pieces of extracellular DNA.”

Researchers have studied the breakdown of various body tissues in several diseases. In this case, the composition of extracellular DNA in the blood also changes. Scientists have now been able to demonstrate this change in some complications during pregnancy, as well as breast and colon cancers.

The study was published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.