New 10-minute saliva test to detect cancer

NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at the California State University have developed a new test to detect cancer that takes just ten minutes and uses just a drop of saliva. The researchers say that the test is 100 percent accurate and can be done in the comfort of one's own home, or by a pharmacist or even dentist.

The new 10-minute saliva test uses a technique called liquid biopsy. It works by detecting tumor DNA when it is circulating in the body fluids. According to the researchers, with just one drop of saliva and the development of a tumor, a diagnosis is provided. The test is an extremely innovative way to detect cancer and only costs less than twenty dollars.

According to Dr. David Samadi at the Dr. David Samadi Prostate Cancer Center, "This new 10-minute cancer detection test has significant advantages thanks to technology that allows it to be non-invasive. With any cancer, early detection is key. For example, with prostate cancer the PSA test is currently the best tool to screen for and try to detect the disease early. If there were an early detection screening test widely available such as this that is non-invasive, cheap, and that is simple enough to be done in one's own home, we can save even more lives than ever before."

Currently, the only way to detect cancer using blood tests is if a biopsy has already been done and the tumor has been sequenced. This provides researchers with the genetic information they need to detect the cancer. While this technique can be used to track the metastasis, or spread, of the cancer, is cannot be used as an initial test to detect cancer. This can also result in a false positive. That is what makes this new saliva test different as it would be able to be used as an initial test for the detection of cancer.

According to David Wong, professor of oncology at the California State University, the new saliva test is simple, requiring just one drop of saliva. In the past, Wong's tests have proven to be effective using just a single drop of saliva which is all that is required to gather enough data to give a definitive diagnosis as soon as a tumor develops.

The researchers expect to begin the clinical trial using the new saliva test by the end of 2016. If all goes well, the new test is expected to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration within the next two years. If approved, the test be a significant milestone in regards to early detection for cancer as it would help detect cancers early enough to save the lives of patients through medication and treatment.

Patients who are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer can contact world renowned prostate cancer surgeon and urologic oncologist, Dr. David Samadi, for a consultation at 212.365.5000.

SOURCE Dr. David Samadi

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