Multi-cancer early detection blood test developed in Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - A multi-cancer detection blood test developed in Tucson can change the way cancers are diagnosed.

The test is called EPISEEK and was developed by Precision Epigenomics, which began in 2019.

According to company co-founder and CEO Mark Nelson, the test can detect 50 types of cancers in their early stages. If the cancers are detected early enough, they can be diagnosed and treated much quicker.

“Most cancers do not have a screening test available to them,” Nelson said. “This is offering a new means of actually being able to detect cancer early.”

The American Cancer Society estimates more than 600,000 people died from cancerous diseases last year.

“A diagnosis of a late-stage cancer leads to limited treatment options and can actually lead to an extreme burden financially onto patients,” Nelson said.

The tests can detect several cancers in the brain, as well as other spots like the liver and esophagus. Some of the cancers are not normally detected until the later stages.

In finding the cancers early, treatments and interventions are more likely to work, which could make a huge difference physically and financially.

Matthew Rounseville, a molecular technologist who worked in the field for more than 20 years, knows this too well.

“For most cancers, there’s actually not very effective screening tests at this time,” Rounseville said.

Apart from mammograms and colonoscopies – this test is not as invasive as traditional tests can be.

“We need new breakthroughs because obviously, it’s not enough what we’ve accomplished to date,” Rounseville added. “So, being a part of these new innovations is really exciting.”

The test has been commercially available for almost a year, and the company has received samples from people across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Central America.

The idea originally stemmed from a research project by University of Arizona students around 2018.

Nelson, who is a professor at the university, said this work shows just how important medical and public health research is.

“Some of the breakthroughs that we are making could actually then be offered to people and public health in a positive way,” Nelson said. “I think that would be the importance, in my opinion of clinical research.”

The EPISEEK test currently retails for about $699, but the company told 13 News they are looking at ways to make it more affordable.

Nelson also told 13 News the company has global aspirations – and is looking to license its technology so the test can be available around the world.

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