Vietnamese Scientists Develop Livers Cancer Detection Through Gene Analysis
A team of scientists at Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) has researched changes in the F12 gene in blood samples to enable early diagnosis of liver cancer, potentially replacing the need for invasive biopsies, local media reported.
The research, conducted between 2020 and 2023, was led by Dr. Nguyen Minh Nam, MSc. Bui Thi Phuong, BSc. Nguyen Thanh Dat, and Nguyen Thi Kim Nhuong from the University of Health Sciences, VNU-HCM.
The team aimed to use biomarkers from gene expressions in patients' blood to diagnose liver cancer accurately and non-invasively. The study found that a machine learning model could detect liver cancer with over 70% accuracy using data from 36 domestic patients. For international data, the accuracy ranged from 80% to 90%, attributed to the larger dataset available.
Currently, liver cancer is often identified using the biomarker AFP (alpha-fetoprotein). However, the research team noted that this method lacks sufficient accuracy to definitively diagnose liver cancer. While biopsy, which involves analyzing a tissue sample from the liver, is highly accurate, it is also invasive and can affect the patient's health.
Early-stage liver cancer detection can significantly increase the five-year survival rate to 70%, alleviating patient suffering and reducing the burden on families.