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Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches
Published on: June 16, 2023
[Screening for asymptomatic cancers?]
1UMR 7268 ADÉS, Aix-Marseille, Université/EFS/ CNRS; CoReBio PACA, case 901, Parc scientifique de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France.
Abstract:
A recent publication describes a sophisticated "liquid biopsy" procedure that analyses both tumoral DNA and proteins present in peripheral blood to provide sensitive detection of different types of cancer. These results represent a significant advance, but they still fall short of the sensitivity and specificity required, and it seems unlikely that they could progress to a level at which screening of the (asymptomatic) general population would have a really favourable benefit to risk ratio.
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