Nashik:
In a groundbreaking development in the fight against cancer, a multi-institutional team led by Prof Dr Raj Nagarkar, Managing Director and Chief of Surgical Oncology & Robotic Services at Nashik-based HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, has created a revolutionary blood test capable of detecting 30 different types of cancer with an average accuracy of 98.4%.
The pioneering study, published in Cancer Reports, represents the largest clinical trial of its kind in India. It leverages a novel serum metabolome-based platform powered by machine learning, analyzing over 8,000 metabolites in blood serum to detect unique metabolic signatures associated with cancer.
The trial involved 6,445 participants, including 2,831 treatment-naïve cancer patients across all four stages of the disease. The test demonstrated 98.9% sensitivity in detecting Stage I cancers, significantly improving early diagnosis — a critical area where most existing diagnostic tools fall short.
“By decoding the metabolic ‘fingerprint’ left by tumours in the blood, we’ve created a universal sentinel for early cancer detection,” said Dr Nagarkar. “This development may transform how cancer is screened, especially in resource-constrained settings.”
Unlike other multi-cancer detection tests that depend on tumour DNA or cells, this test tracks changes in metabolites — offering greater sensitivity, particularly for early-stage malignancies. The high-resolution mass spectrometry data was processed through a proprietary Cancer Detection AI (CDAI) algorithm developed with PredOmix Technologies.
With cancer expected to become the world’s leading cause of death by 2030, Dr Nagarkar emphasized that early detection is the most effective way to reduce cancer-related mortality. Current methods cover only five cancers and often have high false-positive rates. This new test expands detection to 30 types and reduces over-diagnosis.
The study was conducted with full ethical clearance and is registered under CTRI/2023/03/050316. Collaborating institutions included PredOmix Health Sciences, North East Cancer Hospital, and multiple hospitals across India.
Plans are underway for larger trials and commercial deployment, including enhancements like tissue-of-origin prediction — a major step toward precision oncology. “This is not just a scientific breakthrough — it’s a symbol of hope,” Dr Nagarkar said.
