The new test has been created by Gary A. Pestano, Ph.D., and colleagues from Biodesix, Inc., a molecular diagnostic company based in Boulder, CO.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States out of which non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for around 80-85 percent of lung cancers. The most common subtypes of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Patients with NSCLC may possess certain gene mutations.

At present, the type of treatment provided for NSCLC is usually determined using a lung biopsy, which involves removing a sample of tissue or fluid from the lungs for analysis.

According to the researchers, the new test utilizes a technique called Droplet Digital PCR, or ddPCR, which is a highly sensitive gene mutation detection method that is based on the partitioning of DNA into droplets. The technique is able to identify specific DNA mutations and RNA variants from tumors that are circulating in the blood.

The team used the test to analyze more than 1,600 blood samples taken from patients with early-stage NSCLC. The results of the test were available within 72 hours.