Latest news with #ARIC
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First Post
a day ago
- Health
- First Post
How new blood test could reveal cancer long before symptoms appear
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University in the US have developed a new blood test that can detect signs of cancer up to three years before symptoms appear. When cancer is present, tumours release small fragments of genetic material into the bloodstream. Researchers found that these fragments can be identified in blood samples long before symptoms emerge. This could allow doctors to detect cancer much earlier than current screening methods, improving the chances of timely treatment read more This could let doctors find cancer much earlier than current screening methods. Pixabay/Representational Image Has a new way to detect cancer early been found? Scientists at Johns Hopkins University in the US have created a new blood test that can pick up signs of cancer up to three years before any symptoms appear. Why is this important? This could let doctors find cancer much earlier than current screening methods, giving people a better chance of getting treated in time. ALSO READ | British tourist dies after being 'scratched' by a pup in Morocco: How common are rabies deaths today? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The study was published in Cancer Discovery and carried out by teams from different Johns Hopkins centres. It was partly supported by the US National Institutes of Health. So, what is this new test? And what did the researchers discover from the study? Let's take a look: What the researchers found The study showed that small traces of cancer can be found in a person's blood as early as three years before they are formally diagnosed. This raises the possibility that doctors could one day spot cancer much sooner, when it is easier to treat or even cure. When someone has cancer, tumours release tiny fragments of genetic material into the bloodstream. The researchers found that this material can be detected in blood samples well before any symptoms show up. The study was carried out by teams from different Johns Hopkins centres. Pixabay/Representational Image Dr Yuxuan Wang, one of the study's authors, said, 'We were surprised to find cancer signals in the blood so early. Finding cancer three years earlier gives us a chance to treat it before it spreads.' To conduct the research, scientists used plasma samples from a major Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, which looks at risk factors linked to heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and other heart-related conditions, according to a press release. They examined blood from 26 people who were diagnosed with cancer within six months of giving the sample, and compared it with samples from 26 people who were not diagnosed with cancer. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Out of the 52 people, eight tested positive using a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) lab test and were later diagnosed with cancer within four months of their blood being drawn. Notably, MCED tests are an experimental method of screening that checks for signs of several types of cancer at the same time. According to the American Cancer Society, these tests can look for pieces of DNA, RNA or proteins from abnormal cells. In six of the eight cancer cases, the researchers went back to check earlier blood samples, taken more than three years before diagnosis. In four of those cases, cancer markers were already present. What do the results mean? Dr Bert Vogelstein, senior author and professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins, said, 'This study shows the promise of MCED tests in detecting cancers very early, and sets the benchmark sensitivities required for their success.' Dr Nickolas Papadopoulos, also a senior author and professor of oncology, added, 'Detecting cancers years before their clinical diagnosis could help provide management with a more favourable outcome. Of course, we need to determine the appropriate clinical follow-up after a positive test for such cancers.' At present, no MCED test has received full approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for general use. However, some are available commercially under more flexible rules as Laboratory Developed Tests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD MCED tests are an experimental method of screening that checks for signs of several types of cancer at the same time. Pixabay/Representational Image Experts say MCED tests are not meant to replace current screening methods but could become useful tools for detecting cancers earlier, particularly those like colon cancer, which are often diagnosed at later stages. Of the eight participants whose cancers were picked up by the MCED test months before diagnosis, five later died from the disease. According to The New York Post, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers, more than two million new cancer cases are expected in the US in 2025, with over 618,000 people projected to die from the illness. That means nearly 1,700 deaths every day.
India Today
a day ago
- Health
- India Today
Blood test detects cancer DNA three years before diagnosis
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found that tiny traces of cancer can be found in a person's blood up to three years before they are officially means doctors might one day be able to catch cancer much earlier, when it's easier to treat or even study, published in Cancer Discovery, was led by scientists from several Johns Hopkins institutions, and partly funded by the US National Institutes of WHAT DID THE STUDY FIND?When someone has cancer, their tumors release small bits of genetic material into the bloodstream. The researchers discovered that this material can show up in blood samples long before any signs of illness appear."We were surprised to find cancer signals in the blood so early. Finding cancer three years earlier gives us a chance to treat it before it spreads,' said Dr. Yuxuan Wang, one of the study team used blood samples from a large health study called ARIC, which has tracked people's heart and health data for many looked at blood from 52 people:26 people who were later diagnosed with cancer26 people who stayed cancer-freeOut of these, 8 people showed signs of cancer in their blood using a special lab test called MCED (Multicancer Early Detection). All 8 of these people were diagnosed with cancer within four months after their blood was 6 of those cases, researchers went back and checked older blood samples from the same people, taken more than three years before the diagnosis. In 4 of those cases, cancer markers were already present even back DOES THIS MEAN?The study highlights that a simple blood test might one day be able to spot cancer early, giving doctors and patients more time to act.'This kind of early detection could improve treatment and save lives," said Dr. Nickolas Papadopoulos, one of the senior the researchers stated that they need to determine the appropriate clinical follow-up after a positive test for such cancers.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
This new blood test could spot cancer up to 3 years before symptoms
A simple blood test developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University could detect cancer up to three years before symptoms appear. By identifying tiny fragments of tumour DNA circulating in the bloodstream long before the disease becomes evident, the test holds promise for early intervention and significantly better outcomes. According to a statement on the university's website, a new study published in Cancer Discovery demonstrated that the multicancer early detection (MCED) blood test could identify tumour-derived genetic material in blood samples well before any clinical signs were visible. The team used archived blood samples from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study—originally focused on heart disease—which provided valuable data for cancer detection analysis. How does the early cancer detection test work? The MCED blood test detects circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA)—tiny fragments of genetic material shed by tumours into the bloodstream. These fragments can signal the presence of cancer even before any symptoms develop. The test uses highly sensitive sequencing technologies to pick up these subtle changes earlier than traditional screening methods. Researchers analysed plasma samples from 52 individuals: 26 who were later diagnosed with cancer within six months of blood collection, and 26 who remained cancer-free. Of these, eight tested positive for tumour DNA at the time of sampling—and all eight were diagnosed with cancer within four months. Can it really detect cancer years in advance? For six of the eight positive cases, researchers also examined earlier blood samples taken 3.1 to 3.5 years prior. In four of these cases, tumour-related mutations were already detectable—suggesting the test could potentially detect cancer over three years before diagnosis. Why does early detection matter so much? 'Three years earlier provides time for intervention. The tumours are likely to be much less advanced and more likely to be curable,' said lead author Dr Yuxuan Wang of Johns Hopkins. Early detection significantly increases the chance of successful treatment and long-term survival, possibly changing the landscape of cancer care. Senior author Dr Nickolas Papadopoulos noted that while the results are promising, more research is needed to determine appropriate follow-up protocols after a positive test, to avoid unnecessary anxiety or treatment. Is the test available to the public yet? Not yet. The MCED blood test is still undergoing research and is not currently available for general screening. The researchers emphasised the need for larger-scale studies before the test can be used in routine clinical practice.
The Market Online
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Market Online
Fortuna Mining de-risks junior gold stock with new investment
Fortuna Mining (TSX:FVI), a gold and silver company across multiple emerging markets, invested C$8.25 million at C$0.55 per share into Awalé Resources (TSXV:ARIC), a copper-gold explorer in Côte d'Ivoire, representing a 15-per-cent stake in the company on an undiluted basis Fortuna joins existing high-profile investors Orecap Invest and Newmont Corporation Awalé Resources stock is down by 27.54 per cent year-over-year and 37.50 per cent since 2020 Fortuna Mining (TSX:FVI), a gold and silver company across multiple emerging markets, invested C$8.25 million at C$0.55 per share into Awalé Resources (TSXV:ARIC), a copper-gold explorer in Côte d'Ivoire, representing a 15-per-cent stake in the company on an undiluted basis. Awalé will allocate the proceeds to continued exploration on its 2,346-square-kilometre Odienné project, which management believes to hold the potential for the discovery of West Africa's first major iron-oxide-copper-gold deposit. Fortuna will form a joint technical advisory committee with Awalé, bringing its proven operational expertise in Côte d'Ivoire to the table, and be granted the right to maintain its pro-rata ownership, both privileges contingent on its investment remaining at a minimum of 10 per cent of issued and outstanding shares. According to Thursday's news release, the transaction is expected to close by June 20, 2025, with shares subject to a customary four-month sale restriction. Awalé will issue a news release should existing shareholders Orecap Invest (TSXV:OCI) and Newmont Corporation (TSX:NGT) elect to top up their stakes on the same terms. The latter's 797-square-kilometre Awalé-Newmont Joint Venture within the Odienné project has yielded four gold, gold-copper and gold-copper-silver-molybdenum mineralized systems to date. Leadership insights 'We are extremely pleased to welcome Fortuna Mining as a strategic investor,' Andrew Chubb, Awalé Resources' chief executive officer, said in a statement. 'As an established and successful operator with a strong presence in West Africa and particularly in Côte d'Ivoire, Fortuna's investment is a strong endorsement of our technical team, our exploration approach and our clear vision for the Odienné district. This investment positions the company strategically as we launch intensive exploration on our 100-per-cent-owned ground.' About Awalé Resources Awalé is a mineral exploration company dedicated to discovering large high-grade gold and copper-gold deposits in mining friendly Côte d'Ivoire. Awalé Resources stock (TSXV:ARIC) is up by 16.28 per cent on the news trading at C$0.50 as of 10:17 am ET. The stock is down by 27.54 per cent year-over-year and 37.50 per cent since 2020. Join the discussion: Find out what everybody's saying about this African gold and copper stock on the Awalé Resources Ltd. Bullboard and check out the rest of Stockhouse's stock forums and message boards. The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. For full disclaimer information, please click here.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New study reaffirms strong link between hearing loss, dementia in seniors
ST. PAUL, Minn., April 17 (UPI) -- The authors of a detailed analysis of thousands of medical records across four U.S. communities said Thursday they've found further evidence of a strong link between hearing loss and the onset of dementia in older adults. Previous research has determined that seniors with more severe hearing loss also are more likely to have dementia, and that the likelihood of dementia is lower among hearing aid users compared to non-users, although no causal relationship has yet been proven. Now, the first-ever study of the connection, involving large populations of thousands of patients across the country, has further reinforced the connection and is highlighting the importance of continuing to battle hearing loss among the seniors, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University, New York University and elsewhere. The new study, published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, examined the medical records of nearly 3,000 people participating in the long-term ARIC, or Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities, study, which began 38 years ago and is ongoing. That landmark effort, led by the National Institutes of Health, mainly seeks to understand the causes of atherosclerosis and heart disease. From 1987 to 2014, it tracked the health outcomes of 400,000 adults ages 35 to 84 living in four U.S. communities -- Forsyth County, N.C., Jackson, Miss., suburban Minneapolis and Washington County, Md. By studying the records of 2,946 participants with a mean age of 75 years who were objectively assessed to have hearing loss, including up to eight years' worth of follow-up information, the authors of the news study estimated that nearly one in three new dementia cases among that population could be "attributed to clinically significant hearing loss." The upshot of the findings is that "interventions for sensory health in late life might be associated with a broad benefit for cognitive health," they concluded, also urging that seniors' hearing be objectively measured by providers in subsequent research rather than accepting the "self-reporting" of patients, who tend to underestimate their own hearing loss. One of the lead authors, doctoral student Jason R. Smith, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, told UPI the analysis has broken new ground on several levels. "To our knowledge, this is the first population-based study of this size and duration -- up to eight years -- to estimate how much dementia at the population level can potentially be linked to age-related hearing loss," he said in emailed comments. "It's important that we also used an objective measure of hearing loss -- previous research tended to use 'self-report,' which is known to underestimate the occurrence of hearing loss in older adults." This new study has strengthened the evidence for a hearing loss-dementia link in another way. The population whose records were analyzed participated in both the ARIC study and another that was focused more closely on the connection: the 2023 Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders, or ACHIEVE, study. That effort showed hearing intervention slowed down the loss of thinking and memory abilities among high-risk older adults by 48% over a three-year span. "The population of older adults in our study is the same sub-group of older adults in the randomized ACHIEVE trial that derived benefit from a hearing intervention on reducing cognitive decline," Smith said. "This gives us more confidence that what we're estimating is applicable to the populations we would intend to target for interventions." While the association between hearing loss and dementia is strengthening, it remains a mystery as to why they seem to be linked. There are a few potential explanations for the connection, Smith said. "It could be that hearing loss increases social isolation -- and decreases cognitively enriching activities," he noted. "Hearing loss could also increase the 'strain' on one's brain -- [for example], think of the strain from having persistent difficulty with hearing while simultaneously attempting to do tasks of daily living. Or, hearing loss could directly affect the function or structure of the brain." Conversely, there may not be a "mechanistic" explanation at all, but rather an as-yet unknown common cause of both hearing loss and dementia. Perhaps vascular risk factors such as diabetes, or even just age, are at the root of both, meaning the associations would not actually be causal. "Unfortunately, high quality randomized trials that would give us more confidence in a causal association are limited," Smith said. "Only one randomized trial [ACHIEVE] to date has investigated whether a hearing intervention reduces the rate of cognitive decline, and the interpretation of those findings is challenging."
