Veracyte Inc (NASDAQ:VCYT) recently presented some new data that makes a strong case for the use of nasal swab samples to test for lung cancer, thus revealing the technology behind the company’s non-invasive nasal swab.
The presentation of the data revealed the technology behind the noninvasive nasal swab that Veracyte has been developing for detecting lung cancer in patients that have lung nodules. The company presented the data at this year’s CHEST conference. The latter is an annual event but it was conducted virtually this year due to the challenges presented by the coronavirus.
The presentation particularly focused on the genomic smoking index through which samples collected from the lung airway are tested for lung cancer. The data showed that similar results can also be obtained using nasal swab samples. The presentation is important especially considering that 750,000 are found to have lung nodules each year and these are just figures exclusively from the U.S. the number increases significantly for global stats. The nodules are usually considered lung cancer signs.
One of the major challenges is determining which of the nodules are benign and which of them are cancerous. Veracyte’s goal is for the nasal swab to be used for lung cancer screening. This approach might facilitate early detection, in which case the patients will have a higher potential for survival if treatment is administered early.
A highly accurate nasal swab test could potentially save millions from lung cancer
Veracyte is currently working on a nasal classifier that will allow doctors to easily determine the level of lung cancer risks for each patient that has lung nodules. The patients that will be found to be at a higher risk level will be a priority as far as diagnosis and treatment are concerned. Meanwhile, low-risk patients will be observed.
“Our analysis suggests that the ‘field of injury’ technology underlying the nasal classifier can distinguish smoking-related genomic changes whether samples are derived from the nasal passages or from brushings of the main lung airway,” said Dr. Carla Lamb while presenting the data at the CHEST conference.
Dr. Lamb stated that the findings from Veracyte’s studies are of utmost importance. Accurate nasal swab tests for lung cancer treatments would allow physicians to have a leg-up over lung cancer.
