New blood test for cancer

Thanks so much for this, Mainsailset!  It made me very emotional in a positive way just thinking of the possibilities.  As I go through my chemo I constantly wonder if it is working since it is adjuvent and not neoadjuvent.  

Thanks Mainy,

Donna, I have read that it is on a fast track for commercial/our use which should translate into 2011...

It sounds promising! We can only hope it comes out soon!

Amazing!!  Something to jot down and talk to the onc about!  

According to my onc, Mainy - that's exactly the problem.  I asked about residual chemo after treatment, and while she understands my logic of wanting it, she said it's not done when all original treatment ends as it would wipe us out entirely.  As she said, it is still a poison, and even to give a diluted maintenance type formula (which of course has no scientific backing at this point in time, so they'd not even consider it unless you in fact needed further treatment), would be too injurious to all the normal cells and your organs.

I hear you, Mainy!  and yes, yes, yes, now that you mention timing - she also said something about that - that there had to be a point in the cell's splitting cycle to administer the chemo, and with no known cancer active and splitting, this could not be achieved and would therefor just be poisoning our organs and killing of good necessary cells (or to that effect).   I must ask her again, next time I see her.

I saw this clip on my local (Kansas City) news last night. Apparently much of the work on this new test is being done at University of Kansas Med Center.

http://www.kmbc.com/video/26362551/detail.html

According to this story, the test HAS been approved for the following types of cancer:

1. Breast
2. Colo-rectal
3. Prostate

They are still working on FDA approval for lung, kidney, head and neck, melanoma and other cancers.

I'm really excited about this test and excited to hear that KU Med is close to gaining NCI status! That will be wonderful for our community.

Interesting correction. I have also found that this test initially was researched back in 2004 and did well then so it has already passed various layers of research with good outcomes.

Quote:  "Four cancer centers will do tests this year using that new design with a grant from the Stand Up to Cancer telethon. Johnson & Johnson has joined with Mass General to develop a third-generation test with a different technology aimed at mass production."

I wish we could get a timeline on the mass production test.