A GROUNDBREAKING non-invasive blood test could revolutionise the early detection of pancreatic cancer, offering new hope for one of the deadliest cancers with notoriously late diagnoses. Researchers have developed PAC-MANN-1, a high-throughput nano sensor assay that identifies pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by detecting cancer-associated protease activity in the blood.
The study demonstrates that PAC-MANN-1 outperforms the widely used CA 19-9 biomarker, offering greater accuracy in detecting all stages of PDAC. The assay is particularly promising for identifying early-stage pancreatic cancer, where timely intervention could significantly improve survival rates.
The test works by using a fluorescently labelled peptide probe, which interacts with proteases in the blood, a hallmark of cancer progression. The probe’s cleavage is then detected using a magnetic nano sensor, providing a rapid, high-throughput readout from just a small blood sample. In a blinded retrospective study, the assay identified PDAC samples with 98% specificity and 73% sensitivity, successfully distinguishing cancer patients from those with noncancerous pancreatic conditions.
Crucially, when combined with CA 19-9, the PAC-MANN-1 assay improved detection rates to 85% for stage I pancreatic cancer while maintaining 96% specificity. Researchers also found that protease activity levels dropped following surgical tumour removal, suggesting the test may be valuable for monitoring treatment response.
With pancreatic cancer often diagnosed too late for effective treatment, PAC-MANN-1 represents a major step forward in detecting the disease earlier and more accurately. The study’s authors emphasise the need for further clinical development, particularly in high-risk individuals, to refine and expand the test’s potential in real-world cancer screening programs.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Montoya Mira JL et al. Early detection of pancreatic cancer by a high-throughput protease-activated nanosensor assay. Sci Transl Med. 2025:DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adq3110.
