Dr. Matthew Taub, a hematologist and oncologist practicing with Optimum Oncology Hematology Associates, has been working in medicine for more than 20 years. During that time, Matthew Taub, MD, has treated a range of benign and malignant conditions.
Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States. When doctors suspect a patient has lung cancer, that patient must undergo a surgical tissue biopsy. This invasive procedure is often expensive and has several risks.
However, a new tool is being developed to replace this procedure. Known as a “liquid biopsy,” this blood-based diagnostic test identifies tumor gene mutations that guide doctors as they create treatment plans.
A medical team in Houston, Texas, tested the efficacy of one of these liquid biopsies at the end of February 2019 and revealed that it is both accurate and quick. The study focused on Guardant360, a test created by the study’s funding company, Guardant Health.
The tool identifies tumor-specific gene mutations, or biomarkers, in the blood that have been linked to different lung cancers. These mutations are found after about nine days. Standard biopsies take an average of 15 days to process.
The good results from the research are promising and suggest that traditional surgical biopsies for lung cancer may soon be replaced. Since this study tested only the Guardant360, more research is needed to test other liquid biopsies.
