Title: Romanian Scientist Revolutionizes Cancer Fight with Groundbreaking Blood Test
Article:
A Romanian scientist, Professor Victor Velculescu, has made waves in the global fight against cancer with his innovative blood test. The test, currently being successfully implemented in US hospitals, shows great promise for early detection of lung cancer and possibly other types as well. The international research community is hopeful that this test will soon be available in Romanian clinics too.
Professor Velculescu, a renowned figure in cancer research at Johns Hopkins University in the US, and his team have developed a non-invasive program that could significantly improve survival chances for millions worldwide. Their technology can detect cancer signs in blood without the need for invasive tissue biopsies. This breakthrough was first reported by tvrinfo.ro.
"We analyze how pieces of DNA get into blood and how they’re fragmented. This pattern, analyzed with AI, shows 99.8% accuracy in identifying non-cancer patients. It’s high-performing, yet easy and affordable," explained Prof. Dr. Victor Velculescu, cancer research coordinator at Johns Hopkins University.
After extracting DNA from a blood sample, researchers sequence it to identify the source of the affected cells. Known as ‘liquid biopsy,’ this test is now used to detect lung cancer before symptoms arise, enabling timely treatment.
"Abnormal fragmentation of cancer cell DNA, which then enters the blood, is a universal cancer characteristic. In 2019, I described this method in Nature, covering seven different cancer types," said Prof. Dr. Victor Velculescu.
Currently, liquid biopsy is recommended for high-risk individuals like smokers and those over 50. Promising results are already coming in for liver and ovarian cancer tests as well.
Back home, Romanian researchers are eager to introduce this method and extend its use to other cancer types. Professor Velculescu is collaborating with the new Bucharest genomics institute to share his rich experience and help develop a Romanian population genomics reference.
From leading the first human cancer genome sequencing to pioneering targeted cancer therapies and defining transcriptomics, Professor Velculescu’s contributions are immense. "It’s like watching a whole football match, seeing the entire transcriptome. You can understand what’s happening, where the important versus unimportant actions are," he explained.
His work continues to inspire and impact the global battle against cancer, with his latest breakthrough potentially saving countless lives.
