OSF is collaborating with a global consortium of research institutes and the NIH to validate a liquid biopsy designed for the early detection of pancreatic cancer. The new test uses biomarkers which are similar to molecular fingerprints for early disease detection or recurrence.
According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, after lung and colon. And it is on track to become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths before 2030. This can be attributed to the lack of reliable early detection methods, that may be able to catch disease in the earlier stages, where medical interventions can be more successful.