What the trial showed
- A 103-participant study evaluated a $60 blood test that identified 93% of stage 2-4 lung cancers without using expensive genetic sequencing.
- The diagnostic method correctly ruled out malignancy in 90% of healthy control participants and successfully differentiated between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
- Developed by researchers at Tel Aviv University, JaxBio Technologies LTD, Bnai Zion Medical Center, and Sheba Medical Center, the technology uses engineered enzymes to label cell-free DNA on glass microarrays.
- An expanded clinical trial across multiple hospitals in Israel and Europe is underway, with completion expected by mid-2027.
| Finding | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|
| 93% sensitivity for stage 2-4 lung cancer | The test correctly spotted cancer in 93 out of 100 people known to have stage 2, 3, or 4 lung cancer. |
| 90% specificity in healthy controls | The test correctly confirmed that 90 out of 100 healthy individuals were free of lung cancer. |
| Bypasses next-generation DNA sequencing | Instead of using expensive machines to read every gene letter by letter, the test uses a chemical reaction on a glass slide. |
| $60 estimated per-test cost | The simplified lab process allows clinics to process samples at a fraction of standard liquid biopsy expenses. |
An enzymatic approach to blood-based cancer testing
Researchers at Tel Aviv University, JaxBio Technologies LTD, Bnai Zion Medical Center, and Sheba Medical Center have demonstrated a liquid biopsy method that detects advanced lung cancer without high-speed DNA sequencing. Liquid biopsies analyze fragments of genetic material floating in the blood. Standard liquid biopsies rely on next-generation sequencing machines, which read millions of DNA chemical letters individually. That machinery keeps per-test costs high, often reaching thousands of shekels.
The proof-of-concept trial examined blood samples from 103 participants, comparing patients diagnosed with stage 2, 3, and 4 lung cancer against healthy control subjects. The assay identified 93% of true cancer cases while correctly identifying 90% of healthy individuals. Beyond detecting disease, the system differentiated between non-small cell lung cancer subtypes: adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
How the fluorescent glass chip identifies tumor DNA
When body tissues grow, die, or shed material, small fragments called cell-free DNA (cfDNA) escape into the bloodstream. Tumor cells shed cfDNA carrying distinct chemical modifications. One primary modification is DNA methylation, where small chemical tags attach to specific cytosine bases. These tags accumulate at CpG sites, regions where a cytosine nucleotide sits directly beside a guanine nucleotide. Cancer cells arrange these chemical tags in abnormal patterns, leaving a distinct signature in circulating blood.
The testing process begins by extracting cfDNA from a patient blood sample. Laboratory technicians subject the sample to bisulfite treatment, a process that chemically changes unmethylated cytosines into uracil while leaving methylated cytosines unmodified. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification then makes numerous copies of the target DNA sequences.
Instead of running these amplified copies through a sequencer, the team applies an engineered methyltransferase enzyme. This modified enzyme attaches fluorescent tags directly to all originally methylated CpG sites. Technicians then wash the labeled DNA across a standard glass hybridization microarray. Under fluorescent lighting, the chemical tags glow according to their concentration.
The resulting visual grid on the glass slide resembles a tiny QR code. DNA from healthy individuals displays far fewer red lights, whereas DNA from lung cancer patients displays high-intensity fluorescent patterns. Software analyzes the glowing light array, matching the optical visual signal against verified cancer signatures. The process works like using a bright highlighter on key phrases in a manuscript rather than retyping every page from scratch.
Diagnostic challenges in lung cancer screening
According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths globally, claiming an estimated 1.8 million lives each year. In Israel, approximately 2,000 people die from the disease annually. Diagnostic delays drive much of this mortality. Early stage lung cancer generates few clear physical symptoms, leaving up to 60% of patients diagnosed only after their tumor has spread to advanced stages.
Clinical presentations often complicate early recognition. During winter months, patients frequently arrive at emergency departments presenting with acute symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing up blood. Emergency physicians often mistake these signs for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or emphysema, delaying specialized oncology referrals.
Screening programs face low participation. Low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans are fully covered under the Israeli national health basket. Fewer than 20% of eligible individuals worldwide undergo routine low-dose CT screening, largely because patients report reluctance to complete imaging appointments. A simple $60 blood draw integrated into general medical panels offers an accessible entry point for early clinical evaluation.
Health disparities also shape lung cancer outcomes across specific populations. Lead author Dr. Abed Agbarya, chair of oncology at Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa, noted that lung cancer accounts for 29.2% of male cancer deaths among Israeli Arabs, compared to 18.1% among Jewish men. Up to 42% of adult Arab men in Israel identify as heavy smokers. Financial and travel barriers in northern communities like Haifa and Nazareth make repeated trips to central oncology centers difficult for many families.
The collaboration formed after Dr. Agbarya met corresponding author Prof. Yuval Ebenstein through the 8400 Health Network, an organization linking roughly 400 executive, clinical, and scientific figures across Israel. Prof. Ebenstein, who teaches in Tel Aviv University’s School of Chemistry and Department of Biomedical Engineering, was personally motivated to pursue low-cost cancer diagnostics after his stepfather received a preliminary diagnosis of multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.
Performance metrics and trial attributes
| Metric | Trial figure |
|---|---|
| Total cohort size | 103 study participants |
| Disease target | Stage 2, 3, and 4 lung cancer |
| Sensitivity (True positive rate) | 93% |
| Specificity (True negative rate) | 90% |
| Differentiated cancer types | Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma |
| Primary corporate licensee | JaxBio Technologies LTD (Netanya, Israel) |
Context and study limitations
While the initial trial results demonstrate high statistical performance, several qualifications apply. The evaluation relied on a small proof-of-concept cohort of 103 participants. Single-center pilot cohorts often produce higher accuracy metrics than large, diverse population screenings, meaning the 93% sensitivity figure requires validation in broader demographic groups.
The current published data focus exclusively on stage 2, 3, and 4 lung cancers. Tumor DNA concentration in blood drops significantly during stage 1, when tumors are small and localized. The study does not prove that this fluorescent labeling method can spot the earliest-stage disease, which is precisely where a screening test delivers the most survival benefit. That capability remains an open question for the larger trial to answer.
Finally, the results still need independent replication. A single research group demonstrated the method on one cohort, and the technology is tied to a specific patent and corporate licensee. Independent laboratories will need to reproduce the accuracy figures on their own samples before the approach can be considered validated for clinical practice.
Sources:
- The Times of Israel, “$60 Israeli blood test can detect stage 2-4 lung cancer with 93% accuracy, study shows” (https://www.timesofisrael.com/60-israeli-blood-test-can-detect-stage-2-4-lung-cancer-with-93-accuracy-study-shows/amp/)
- npj Precision Oncology (Nature), peer-reviewed study on sequencing-free methylation profiling of cell-free DNA (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41698-026-01547-2)
- PubMed (National Library of Medicine), study record, PMID 42277298 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42277298/)
Related Coverage
- Microplastics in Human Lungs: Higher Burden Found in Lung Cancer Patients
- A simple at-home stool test was tied to a 43 percent lower risk of dying from bowel cancer, in one of Sweden’s largest screening studies
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about any medical condition or before making health decisions.