Tokyo (SCCIJ) – A promising Swiss biotech startup is making significant strides in early breast cancer detection with a groundbreaking blood test that may transform how breast cancer is diagnosed and monitored.
One drop of blood
Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women globally, with approximately one in eight women affected during their lifetime. The tumor can be present in the body for a significant period before it becomes detectable, often for months or even years. Regular mammograms are crucial for early detection, but are complicated, painful, and expensive. The risk of recurrence remains significant for up to 20 years post-diagnosis.
But the Swiss biotech startup Xemperia has developed a blood test that detects breast cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage. The innovative test uses PCR technology, widely employed in testing for the novel Coronavirus. PCR, or Polymerase Chain Reaction, is a laboratory technique to make millions of copies of a specific DNA segment from a small sample. Xemperia’s test requires just one drop of blood, especially allowing women under 40 — who are often excluded from mainstream screening programs — to benefit from early detection.
The accuracy of 99 to 100 percent is exceptionally high. “At first, I could hardly believe it. I thought we had made a mistake,” told Sarah Cattin, biologist and co-founder of Xemperia, the Swiss paper Berner Zeitung. However, her team at University of Fribourg conducted a series of tests on blood samples from 200 women. The team repeated tests, performed in-depth analyses, and used various technologies for validation. The results confirmed the research team’s scientific discovery. The test can detect even small lesions measuring just a few millimeters.
Pioneering research
The Swiss blood test is the result of over 25 years of pioneering cancer research at the University of Fribourg. Spinoff Xemperia was founded in December 2023. By analyzing specific biomarkers derived from blood leukocytes, the test offers a minimally invasive, cost-effective, and highly accurate method for detecting cancer early and monitoring for potential relapses. “We are not looking directly for cancer, but rather for the immune response to cancer cells in the body,” Curzio Rüegg, Co-Founder & CEO of Xemperia, said. The startup has patented the technology.
Additionally, Xemperia is developing advanced DNA-based nanosensors that could be incorporated into point-of-care diagnostic devices to deliver rapid test results at or near the patient’s bedside, enabling even faster diagnosis and treatment. The technology could be adapted to detect other cancers, such as lung, pancreatic, or bowel cancer. The company prepares for a large-scale validation study of its blood test, with plans to certify and market the product by 2029.
Text: Swisstech (Editing by SCCIJ)
