Saliva Test May Give Physicians Ability to Detect Early-Stage Breast Cancer

A simple test that will give physicians the ability to diagnose extreme early-stage breast cancer via analysis of saliva is now in final phase clinical trials in the United States and Europe.

Dr. Charles F. Streckfus of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, who will present findings at the International Association for Dental Research annual meeting in San Diego, said the test identifies and measures the levels of a biomarker, c-erbB-2 (also known as Her2/neu), in women’s saliva.

At elevated levels, the biomarker is a strong indicator of the presence of breast cancer, according to Streckfus.

About 1,100 patients are now enrolled in advanced-stage clinical trials, which should be completed by the middle of this year, according to John Wundrock, president and CEO of MedicGroup in Jackson, Wisconsin.

To conduct the test, physicians will collect a sample of saliva from patients and send it via overnight delivery to MedicGroup’s lab. Results will then be sent back to the physician within 24 hours.

The company ultimately hopes to introduce a device that will enable the laboratory test to be conducted at the point-of-care.

Other Sources: MedicGroup