Jop Kind receives KWF grant for cancer detection research

Early cancer detection
Early detection significantly improves the chances of successful cancer treatment. However, existing diagnostic methods often focus on detecting a single genetic mutation or molecular change in blood samples, leaving much valuable information unused. Epigenetic signatures provide critical insights into gene activity changes that can indicate the presence of cancer, even before genetic mutations are detectable. The challenge lies in finding ways to maximize the data extracted from blood samples to identify cancer in its earliest stages or detect its recurrence after treatment.

Simultaneous measurements
The research aims to create a diagnostic method that performs multiple simultaneous measurements of epigenetic signatures in a single blood sample. By leveraging these signatures—biological markers that indicate changes in gene activity without altering the DNA sequence—Kind’s team hopes to develop a powerful and ultrasensitive test for cancer detection. This innovative method will also enable testing multiple samples in parallel, making the process faster, more cost-effective, and less prone to technical variation.

Transforming cancer diagnostics
By the end of this project, the team anticipates having developed a diagnostic test that outperforms current standards for detecting cancer in blood samples. This approach could provide an essential tool for identifying cancer early and improving outcomes for patients. The next steps involve testing this method on blood samples from patients with various cancer types, with an initial focus on colorectal cancer. The collaboration between Kind’s team and clinical partners ensures that this promising technique can be adapted for use in real-world settings.