New study links routine blood test marker changes to earlier detection of aggressive cancer
Researchers at the Manchester Cancer Research Centre reported Thursday that changes in two blood proteins can detect glioblastoma, the most aggressive adult brain cancer, with more than 90% accuracy. According to the study, measuring coagulation factor IX and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in routine blood samples allowed earlier detection and monitoring of disease progression during treatment.
The study tracked these markers in serial blood samples collected during surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, revealing that their levels fluctuated in line with tumor burden and treatment response. Lead investigator Dr. Sarah Mitchell said the findings, published Thursday, suggest the potential for earlier, minimally invasive detection and ongoing monitoring of glioblastoma progression through routine blood draws.
The Manchester Cancer Research Centre’s study demonstrated that measuring coagulation factor IX (F9) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in routine blood samples created a “dual-marker” signature that identified glioblastoma patients with more than 90% accuracy, according to researchers.
The study used plasma samples drawn at multiple time points during standard clinical care, allowing researchers to observe dynamic changes in the markers rather than relying on single measurements. The dual-marker panel maintained high diagnostic accuracy even in cases of disease recurrence, indicating its possible role in early detection of relapse. Researchers emphasized that, while still experimental, integrating these serial blood-marker measurements into regular oncology panels could improve monitoring of aggressive brain cancer.
In related research, scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas at Austin, identified blood-based markers that may enable earlier detection of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer, according to a center news release. Published in Science Advances, their findings suggest these circulating markers could form the basis of blood tests to diagnose IBC sooner than current imaging and biopsy methods. The researchers noted that monitoring these markers over time might help clinicians track disease progression and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
For pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the deadliest cancers, NIH-supported investigators reported in Clinical Cancer Research the development of a four-marker blood panel combining two novel proteins—aminopeptidase N (ANPEP) and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PIGR)—with established markers CA19-9 and THBS2. This panel distinguished pancreatic cancer cases from non-cases with 91.9% accuracy at a 5% false-positive rate. The test detected 87.5% of early-stage (stage I/II) cases, potentially enabling diagnosis at more treatable stages. The panel also differentiated pancreatic cancer from non-cancerous pancreatic conditions such as pancreatitis, a common diagnostic confounder.
Separately, researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) developed PAC-MANN, a protease activity-based assay using a magnetic nanosensor, to detect PDAC by measuring blood protease activity changes. According to OHSU scientists, PAC-MANN distinguished pancreatic cancer patients from healthy individuals and those with non-cancerous pancreatic diseases with 98% accuracy. When combined with the CA19-9 test, PAC-MANN detected early-stage pancreatic cancer with 85% accuracy. The assay requires only 8 microliters of blood, yields results in about 45 minutes, and costs less than one cent per sample, making it suitable for frequent testing.
In prostate cancer research, a team supported by the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation developed the neuroendocrine monitoring (NEMO) blood test to detect treatment-emergent neuroendocrine prostate cancer (CRPC-NE), an aggressive subtype of advanced prostate cancer. The NEMO test analyzes circulating tumor DNA for epigenetic markers and was evaluated in two clinical trials, successfully identifying patients with CRPC-NE, including some not yet clinically diagnosed. According to study leader Dr. Himisha Beltran, the test quantifies the fraction of tumor cells transitioning to the neuroendocrine subtype, providing clinicians with a tool to monitor subtype conversion during treatment.
Multi-cancer early-detection blood tests such as Galleri, developed by GRAIL, analyze DNA fragments shed by cancer cells to detect more than 50 cancer types from a standard blood draw. Promotional data highlight detection of several aggressive cancers lacking standard screening, including pancreatic and stomach cancers. However, independent analyses reported that in a cohort of about 23,000 individuals, 99% received negative results, with approximately 40% of positive results being false positives. The test detected about 40% of cancers confirmed within one year, missing roughly 60%. Biostatistician Ruth Etzioni of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center noted that the number of early-stage cancers detected by Galleri aligns with existing detection patterns, and evidence for mortality reduction remains limited. As of late 2025, major medical organizations have not endorsed multi-cancer blood tests for routine population screening, citing limited independent data and concerns over false reassurance, follow-up procedures, and costs.
These studies build on growing research into blood-based markers for earlier detection and monitoring of aggressive cancers. While promising, many of these tests remain experimental and require further validation in clinical trials before widespread adoption. Researchers continue to explore how integrating such blood assays into routine clinical care could improve early diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and relapse detection across various cancer types.
