A Simple Test May Catch Early Pancreatic Cancer, Johns Hopkins University Study

free biotech news Get the latest biotech news where you want it. Sign up for the free GenePool newsletter today!

Reporting on a small preliminary study, Johns Hopkins researchers say a simple blood test based on detection of tiny epigenetic alterations may reveal the earliest signs of pancreatic cancer, a disease that is nearly always fatal because it isn't usually discovered until it has spread to other parts of the body. The findings of their research, if confirmed, they say, could be an important step in reducing mortality from the cancer, which has an overall five-year survival rate of less than 5 percent and has seen few improvements in survival over the last three decades.

Hey, check out all the engineering jobs. Post your resume today!

Back to news