Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center say they’ve developed a blood test that can predict whether some early stage colon cancer patients will have a recurrence. The new test, known as liquid biopsy, detects ‎fragments of DNA linked to cancer, circulating in the blood. 

 

In a study of 230 stage two colon cancer patients, the test picked up about half of patients whose cancer would eventually recur. It could help doctors determine which colon cancer patients would need chemotherapy after surgery.  

 

Researchers say more study is needed to confirm the findings. Dr. Bert Vogelstein says liquid biopsies based on genetic alterations are the next generation of cancer tests. 

 

Currently no DNA-based blood tests for cancer are FDA approved.