Pancreatic cancer survival chances can be predicted using new DNA blood test, say experts

SURVIVAL chances for pancreatic cancer patients can be predicted by testing for tumour DNA in the blood, scientists say.

It could help docs work out the best treatment.

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A US study found patients with no detectable tumour DNA survived longer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest because it is so often diagnosed late. Around 9,600 a year get it in the UK and 8,800 die.

A new “liquid biopsy” could help doctors work out the best treatment strategies for patients with advanced forms of the disease.

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Scientists in the US looked for traces of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in the blood of 135 pancreatic cancer patients. Of these, 31 had operable tumours, 36 had locally advanced disease, and 68 had cancer that had spread around the body.

Among the 104 patients with advanced disease, the 50 with detectable ctDNA survived just 6.5 months. The remainder with no ctDNA survived for 19 months.

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Dr Jean-Baptiste Bachet, from the Sorbonne University in Paris, said: “Our study confirms the strong prognostic value of the presence of ctDNA and of its level, when detected, in advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

“Our results demonstrate the utility of circulating biomarkers in sub-classifying cancers and managing treatment.

“We need to confirm these results in prospective clinical trials to better assess the predictive value of this biomarker in light of the dynamic biological changes that occur during treatment.”