Sensitivity and specificity of the empirical lymphocyte genome sensitivity (LGS) assay: Implications for improving cancer diagnostics

Cancer Diagnostics Conference & Expo

June 13-15, 2016 Rome, Italy

Diana Anderson

University of Bradford, UK

Keynote: J Cancer Sci Ther

Abstract :

Detection tests have been developed for many cancers, but there is no single test to identify cancer in general. We have developed such an assay. In this modified patented Comet assay, we investigated peripheral lymphocytes of 208 individuals: 20 melanoma, 34 colon cancer, 4 lung cancer patients 18 suspect melanoma, 28 polyposis, 10 COPD patients and 94 healthy volunteers. The natural logarithm of the Olive tail moment was plotted for exposure to UVA through different agar depths for each of the above groups and analyzed using a repeated measures regression model. Response patterns for cancer patients formed a plateau after treating with UVA where intensity varied with different agar depths. In comparison, response patterns for healthy individuals returned towards control values and for pre/suspected cancers were intermediate with less of a plateau. All cancers tested exhibited comparable responses. Analyses of Receiver Operating Characteristic curves, of mean log Olive tail moments, for all cancers plus pre/suspected-cancer versus controls gave a value for the area under the curve of 0.87; for cancer versus pre/suspected-cancer plus controls the value was 0.89 and for cancer alone versus controls alone (excluding pre/ suspected-cancer), the value was 0.93. By varying the threshold for test positivity, its sensitivity or specificity can approach 100% whilst maintaining acceptable complementary measures. Evidence presented indicates that this modified assay shows promise as both a stand-alone test and as a possible adjunct to other investigative procedures, as part of detection programs for a range of cancers.

Biography :

Diana Anderson holds the Established Chair in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Bradford. She has obtained her first degree in the University of Wales and second degree in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Manchester, UK. She has an H index of 57, 450+ peer-reviewed papers, 8 books, successfully supervised 26 PhDs and has been a Member of Editorial Boards of 10 international journals. She has been or is Editor in Chief of a book series on toxicology for J. Wiley and sons and the Royal Society of Chemistry respectively. She is a Consultant for many international organizations, such as the WHO, NATO, TWAS, UNIDO and the OECD

Email: d.anderson1@bradford.ac.uk