Innovative Technology Identifies Breast Cancer Relapses up to Five Years Early

Researchers at Altum Sequencing, supported by the C3N-IA Science Park at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, have developed a groundbreaking blood-based test that can detect signs of breast cancer relapse years before traditional symptoms appear. Published in the journal "Breast Cancer Research," this precision method leverages circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis to monitor treatment outcomes in patients with solid tumors, particularly those with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer, the most prevalent subtype among women.

Although many HR+ breast cancer patients respond well to initial therapies, up to 40% experience relapse over time. This new technology aims to bridge the gap in early detection by identifying tumor recurrence long before clinical symptoms emerge. The approach involves initially performing a tumor biopsy to pinpoint patient-specific genetic mutations, which are then tracked through simple blood tests focused on detection of these mutations in circulating tumor DNA.

Using advanced next-generation sequencing (NGS), the system can detect one tumor cell among a million healthy cells, greatly surpassing conventional diagnostic tools. This enables healthcare providers to anticipate relapse onset up to 68 months in advance—a critical window for early intervention.

"Our goal isn't to diagnose cancer but to offer clinicians a robust tool for disease monitoring post-treatment," explains Joaquín Martínez-López, President of Altum Sequencing. He emphasizes the minimally invasive nature of the test, its cost-effectiveness by targeting individual mutations, and its capacity to reduce unnecessary treatments and false positives.

The technology’s versatility extends beyond breast cancer; it is applicable to various solid tumors. The company is actively working to obtain regulatory approvals in Europe and the United States to make this tool widely available. Initial testing has shown promising results in lung cancers, and the developers aim to refine detection sensitivity further—to detect one cancer cell in ten million in the future.

Additionally, Altum Sequencing plans to integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, leveraging emerging technologies to further enhance diagnostic precision, personalize treatment strategies, and improve patient outcomes. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize cancer management by enabling earlier interventions and more tailored therapies.

This advancement illustrates a significant step forward in oncology, emphasizing early detection and personalized medicine to improve survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-technology-breast-cancer-relapses-years.html