Blood-Based Markers in Lung Cancer

Harvey I. Pass, MD, Stephen E. Banner Professor of Thoracic Oncology, Vice-Chair Research, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Division Chief, General Thoracic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, discusses blood-based markers in lung cancer.

Pass says the Early Detection Research Network, an NCI-approved group, is handling the research on biomarkers for early detection of lung cancer. The group is looking at blood-based markers, such as micro RNAs and proteomic platforms, in order to try to determine if a nodule on a CT scan is malignant or benign.

Pass says that though there is not a definitive profile, there is a company that is currently commercializing one. However, the sensitivity and specificity of the profile is still not perfect and further tests are being performed.

Clinical Pearls

• The Early Detection Research Network is currently working on a blood-based marker for the early detection of lung cancer
• While there is a company that is commercializing a profile for the early detection of lung cancer, the sensitivity and specificity of the profile is not perfect