{"id":198871,"date":"2026-07-31T04:52:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T10:22:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=198871"},"modified":"2026-07-31T04:52:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T10:22:25","slug":"could-cfdna-improve-gallbladder-cancer-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=198871","title":{"rendered":"Could cfDNA Improve Gallbladder Cancer Diagnosis?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.emjreviews.com\/radiology\/news\/immune-side-effects-linked-to-better-survival-in-biliary-tract-cancer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GALLBLADDER cancer<\/a> (GBC) diagnosis could be enhanced by analysing circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), according to a proof-of-concept study that identified distinct fragmentomics features capable of distinguishing GBC from people with gallstones and healthy controls.<\/p>\n<p>GBC is a rare but highly lethal biliary tract cancer that is often detected at an advanced stage because symptoms are non-specific and reliable non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers are lacking.<\/p>\n<p>Researchers found that individuals with GBC had characteristic cfDNA alterations that differentiated them from non-cancer groups, highlighting the potential of blood-based sequencing approaches as a non-invasive diagnostic tool. The findings also suggested that archived plasma samples could be successfully used for cfDNA sequencing, potentially expanding opportunities for biomarker research.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why Gallbladder Cancer Diagnosis Remains Challenging<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Gallstones affect 10-20% of adults globally and as many as 30-40% of people in some South American countries, including Chile. Although gallstones are present in more than 90% of GBC cases in high-risk areas, fewer than 1% of individuals with gallstones develop gallbladder cancer.<\/p>\n<p>Existing biomarkers, including carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen, lack sufficient sensitivity for diagnostic use. Differentiating benign from malignant gallbladder disease using imaging alone remains challenging, particularly in the presence of chronic cholecystitis, xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis, and porcelain gallbladder. Together, these limitations have contributed to GBC often being diagnosed at a late stage, with a five-year survival rate of 19%.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>cfDNA Fragmentomics Identified Distinct Cancer Signatures<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Researchers analysed cfDNA extracted from archived plasma samples from 67 individuals enrolled in two case-control studies in China and Chile. Low-coverage whole-genome sequencing and computational analyses were then used to assess fragmentomics features and develop a classification model, with findings compared with external datasets from related hepatopancreatobiliary diseases.<\/p>\n<p>Compared with healthy controls and individuals with gallstones, patients with GBC showed significant differences in fragment lengths, end motif patterns, estimated tumour fractions, detectable copy number alterations, and transcription factor binding site accessibility (p&lt;0.05). Collectively, these features distinguished GBC from the combined non-cancer group with an AUC of 0.852. Many of the observed alterations were also consistent with tissue genomics data and findings from liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and non-GBC biliary tract cancer.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Potential Clinical Role Requires Further Validation<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The investigators concluded that cfDNA profiling captured biologically meaningful alterations consistent with tissue-based genomic findings, supporting its potential for biological characterisation and non-invasive gallbladder cancer diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p>As a pilot study, the findings provide proof of concept rather than definitive clinical evidence. However, the results suggested that cfDNA fragmentomics could complement existing diagnostic approaches, support risk stratification and help guide clinical decision-making or optimise cholecystectomy waitlists in populations at high risk of GBC.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Reference<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Daniels M et al. A pilot study of plasma cell-free DNA fragmentomics in gallbladder cancer. JHEP Rep. 2026;DOI:10.1016\/j.jhepr.2026.101955.<\/p>\n<p><em>Featured image: microscience on Adobe Stock<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.emjreviews.com\/hepatology\/news\/gallbladder-cancer-diagnosis-shows-promise-with-cfdna-fragmentomics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GALLBLADDER cancer (GBC) diagnosis could be enhanced by analysing circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), according to a proof-of-concept study that identified distinct fragmentomics features capable of distinguishing GBC from people with gallstones and healthy controls. GBC is a rare but highly lethal biliary tract cancer that is often detected at an advanced stage because symptoms are&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":198872,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-198871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/10am-Hepatology-16.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":195940,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=195940","url_meta":{"origin":198871,"position":0},"title":"GLP-1 And Breast Cancer Survival Findings","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"GLP-1 use after breast cancer diagnosis was associated with improved overall survival among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a retrospective cohort study examining post diagnosis exposure and mortality outcomes. The study investigated whether GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) influenced survival among women with T2D and breast cancer, with findings\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;National News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Diab-4pm.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Diab-4pm.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Diab-4pm.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Diab-4pm.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":193254,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=193254","url_meta":{"origin":198871,"position":1},"title":"Interview: Christopher Cogle &#8211; European Medical Journal","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 14, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Your work spans clinical oncology, stem cell biology, public health leadership, and healthcare policy. How have those different domains influenced the way you think about cancer care, not simply as treatment, but as a systems-level challenge involving access, prevention, and long-term outcomes? Moving back and forth among the bedside, the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;National News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Chris-cogle_Video.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Chris-cogle_Video.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Chris-cogle_Video.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Chris-cogle_Video.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Chris-cogle_Video.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Chris-cogle_Video.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":198875,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=198875","url_meta":{"origin":198871,"position":2},"title":"Cervical Cancer Lung Metastases Risk Findings \u2013 EMJ","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 31, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"CERVICAL cancer lung metastases incidence was estimated at 4.31% globally, with advanced disease stages and neuroendocrine carcinoma associated with increased metastatic risk, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study evaluated the frequency and clinical patterns of lung metastases in patients with cervical cancer, identifying factors that may help\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;National News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Onc-12pm-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Onc-12pm-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Onc-12pm-4.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Onc-12pm-4.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":198026,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=198026","url_meta":{"origin":198871,"position":3},"title":"World Hepatitis Day on July 28 | National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"\u2022 World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28. \u2022 It aims to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and liver cancer. \u2022 The date of July 28 was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Baruch Blumberg,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;National News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/liver-hepatitis.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/liver-hepatitis.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/liver-hepatitis.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/liver-hepatitis.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":195831,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=195831","url_meta":{"origin":198871,"position":4},"title":"EHA 2026 Abstract Highlights &#8211; European Medical Journal","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"These abstracts highlight some of the cutting-edge research presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2026 Congress. Covering topics ranging from liquid biopsy and cardiovascular risk to pregnancy complications and rare inherited blood disorders, the findings showcase emerging advances that could influence future diagnosis, risk stratification, and patient management across\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;National News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Hema-14.1-Congress-Review-thumbnail.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Hema-14.1-Congress-Review-thumbnail.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Hema-14.1-Congress-Review-thumbnail.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Hema-14.1-Congress-Review-thumbnail.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":196257,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=196257","url_meta":{"origin":198871,"position":5},"title":"The Future Of Sarcoma Care","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Sarcomas are rare cancers that develop in the body's connective tissues, including bone, muscle, fat, cartilage, nerves and blood vessels. Although they account for only a small percentage of all cancers, sarcomas are not a single disease. There are more than 100 subtypes, each with distinct characteristics and treatment approaches.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;National News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/close-up-molecular-structure-cancer-cells_614679-2275_20250708151248_ogImage_6.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/close-up-molecular-structure-cancer-cells_614679-2275_20250708151248_ogImage_6.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/close-up-molecular-structure-cancer-cells_614679-2275_20250708151248_ogImage_6.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/close-up-molecular-structure-cancer-cells_614679-2275_20250708151248_ogImage_6.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgnRh4-PJB","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/198871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=198871"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/198871\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/198872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=198871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=198871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=198871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}