Pan-cancer test malignancies
PanTum Detect is a new diagnostic test that the manufacturers claim can detect "any cancer at any stage" and is now being launching in the UK. According to the manufacturers, RMDM Group the new diagnostic test has been granted a CE Mark and is EU Approved. The scientific evidence demonstrates how the blood test technology can detect all cancers at every stage with good accuracy. The test can detect any cancer at any stage of its growth with a 99.05% specificity and 97.5% sensitivity. The technology is already on the market across the world, including in Holland and Germany. RMDM have now also tested and validated the technology at the Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP) at 76 Harley Street in London.
As ever, despite increasing demand for 'lab selfies', it is best to seek advice from a GP prior to requesting any pathology tests.
All-in-one cancer screen test?
As one in two of us in the UK will develop cancer in our lifetime. Out of 200 types of cancers, the UK currently provides screening services for just three. Providing accurate and inexpensive pan-screening may therefore be attractive. Elizabeth Moore, Managing Director at the Centre for Health and Human Performance, said: “Myself and the team at CHHP are absolutely thrilled to be involved in the revolutionary launch of the PanTum blood test, an innovation in cancer blood testing. CHHP has been involved in the long process of trialling and testing for many months in order to validate the test, which is now ready for the UK market.
“The PanTum test has emerged as a unique test to the UK market, with minimal invasion and can screen for cancer before it is too late. The blood test is a significant breakthrough in proactive medical management that will enable patients and Doctors alike to detect much earlier change in metabolism that differentiate cancer cells from normal cells at such an early stage. We look forward to seeing how the development of this test within the UK can grow to a nationwide service.”
Current cancer screening generally detects cancer too late
Dr Nyjon Eccles BSc MBBS MRCP PhD, the Natural Doctor Clinic, said: “Current cancer screening generally detects cancer too late, i.e. when it is firmly established. Detecting the earliest signs of cancer presence has been a major challenge to doctors and scientists over the years; and is still the case.
“I believe that the PanTum blood test represents a significant potential breakthrough in that it is based on detection of the much earlier changes in metabolism that differentiate cancer cells from normal cells and that occur when a cancer is more juvenile. Results thus far suggest that the Pantum test has a high degree of accuracy. The test measures two critical cell markers APO10 and TKTL1”.
Detecting epitopes in blood cells
The test involves detecting markers known as epitopes in a type of blood cell called a monocyte. Activated monocytes or macrophages phagocytose (engulf and swallow) unwanted cells including cancer cells and cell fragments from the whole body including solid tissues. So, when these cells return to the blood, they can be taken in a blood sample and tested for the detection of any cancer biomarkers that may have been consumed (phagocytosed). A laboratory method used for testing for the presence of markers in blood called 'flow cytometry analysis' enables the detection of any macrophages that have phagocytosed and therefore now show intracellular cancer biomarkers.
