A method developed at the Hebrew University allows early detection of lung damage among cancer patients receiving antibody-based treatments, using a simple non-invasive blood test
A team of researchers led by Dr. Albert Grinsfon from the Sharett Oncology Institute at Hadassah Medical Center-Hebrew University, and Dr. Uri Friedlich from the Liquid Biopsy Center in the Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology at Hadassah Medical Center-Hebrew University, implemented an innovative blood test capable of detecting early signs of damage Potentially fatal lung cancer patients treated with ADCs. The new method aims to provide a safe way And it's simpler to monitor patients and reduce the need for frequent medical imaging tests.
ADCs, including the popular cancer drug Enhertu (trastuzumab droxacan), represent a new generation of targeted therapies. However, these drugs can cause interstitial lung disease (ILD) - a serious condition that can cause significant lung damage if left untreated. The study shows that by analyzing blood markers, it is possible to identify early signs of lung damage caused by these drugs. The idea is based on groundbreaking research developed by Prof. Yuval Dor and Ruth Shemer from the Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University.
In the study, blood samples from patients with HER2-positive metastatic cancer treated with Enhertu were retrospectively examined. A small part of them developed lung damage during the treatment. Analyzing the samples, the team was able to identify markers of lung damage that matched the symptoms confirmed through medical imaging.
"A new generation of cancer treatments such as ADCs are very powerful, but monitoring their side effects can be complex," said Dr. Greenspon. "This blood test may offer a simple and inexpensive way to detect lung damage early, allowing timely treatment without relying solely on medical imaging.
This discovery offers a new approach to monitoring lung health in patients taking ADCs and provides a promising and affordable option for early detection and monitoring. The research team intends to develop this method for wider clinical use in the future.
