Potential Blood Test for Cancer Risk Assessment

Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Gangnam Severance Hospital, and Asan Medical Center have uncovered potential methods for predicting the risk of colorectal cancer recurrence. Their study suggests that a single pre-surgical blood sample might help identify patients more likely to face cancer metastasis.

Metabolic Changes Detected in the Blood

The study highlights how colorectal cancer alters the body’s metabolism, detectable in blood samples. Researchers focused not just on individual amino acids but on their interactions, forming a “metabolic network.” This approach may offer a more comprehensive understanding of cancer progression compared to traditional methods of measuring isolated amino acids.

The Importance of Amino Acids in Cancer Progression

Cancer cells demand high nutrient intake to facilitate growth and division, with amino acids being pivotal for protein synthesis, energy generation, and DNA construction. The research examined relationships among 18 amino acids, showing a reorganization of their network as cancer progressed. Significant shifts included the diminished presence of branched-chain amino acids like valine and leucine, vital for muscle and energy metabolism. Conversely, the presence of glycine and serine, associated with DNA synthesis and rapid cancer growth, increased.

Machine Learning and Prediction Models

The research team employed machine-learning models incorporating amino acid interactions. These models proved more effective than those using just carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a standard colorectal cancer marker. A combined model of CEA, individual amino acid levels, and interaction-derived features showed enhanced performance over models based solely on amino acid measurements.

Implications and Future Prospects

Professor Ji Min Lee expressed hope that these findings could drive precision medicine technologies, enabling more accurate predictions of recurrence risk and aiding personalized treatment strategies.

Expert Opinions and Challenges

External experts find the results intriguing but advise further validation through larger studies. Dr. Michael F. Driscoll of Norton Healthcare cautioned challenges in adopting blood-based biomarkers due to insurance and experimental classification.

Current Methods and Future Directions

For now, gastrointestinal oncologists primarily rely on CT-DNA (circulating tumor DNA) assessments post-surgery to determine recurrence risk, a method validated in extensive studies. Though the study does not yield a clinical test ready for everyday use, it indicates the promising potential of amino acid interactions as biomarkers for tracking cancer progression.

The study, published in Advanced Science on June 9, 2026, highlights contributions from Ji-Yeon Lee, Dr. Jumi Kim, Professors Ji Min Lee and Hyunwoo Kim from KAIST, and Professor Eun Jung Park. The study’s DOI is 10.1002/advs.76044.