A Test Has Been Developed: One Drop of Blood Allows for Cancer Diagnosis

The EasyM test created by Canadian specialists enables the diagnosis of blood cancer without the need for an invasive bone marrow biopsy.

Scientists at the University of Waterloo have developed a new method for detecting and monitoring myeloma (a type of blood cancer) based on the analysis of the M-protein present in the blood. This innovation allows patients to avoid the painful and invasive process of a bone marrow biopsy, which is used for confirming the disease or monitoring therapy.

The results of the research have been published on the university's official website.

The technology called EasyM employs a de novo sequencing method. Through this computational analysis, it is possible to restore the amino acid sequence of the protein even in the presence of significant laboratory noise. The structure of the M-protein is unique for each patient, which makes it a personalized marker that can be easily distinguished from other components in the blood.

Researchers state that the new approach is more effective because the M-protein is widespread throughout the organism. Unlike a biopsy, whose data is limited to a specific point in the bone marrow, blood testing provides more comprehensive information. Moreover, due to its high sensitivity, EasyM can detect disease recurrence several months earlier than conventional tests.

The application of the method has already been authorized in medical institutions in Ontario, Canada. At the same time, scientists emphasize the importance of further studies to definitively validate the effectiveness of the technology in a broader clinical environment.