What is Cancer?

Cancer is emerging as a major public health problem in India. Cancer is life threatening because malignant tumors usually grow and spread across different organs in asymptomatic healthy individuals over many years.

All cells normally grow and divide (multiply) to replace old cells and thus keep the body healthy. A cell turns malignant and spreads across the body uncontrollably if undetected.

Symptoms don’t usually show up till late stages of cancer where treatment becomes difficult or impossible.

What is PanTum® Detect?

PanTum® Detect is a multi-tumor screening blood test that measures levels of two enzyme biomarkers present within your immune cells (macrophages). If the enzyme biomarkers levels are raised the test is positive.

What does the PanTum® Detect blood test detect?

PanTum® Detect test detects the presence of two enzyme biomarkers in whole human blood, which are increasingly formed in all solid tumors – even in the early, asymptomatic phase. The two enzyme biomarkers are called Transketolase-like-1 (TKTL1) and DNaseX (Apo10).

TKTL1 provides an indication of switch towards invasive growth. TKTL1 regulates anaerobic glucose metabolism (Warburg effect) which is fermentation of glucose using the Pentose Phosphate Pathway resulting in the formation of lactic acid and breakdown of collagen matrix leading to metastasis.

DNaseX (Apo10) provides indication of tumor proliferation. Elevated levels of DNaseX (Apo10) enzyme is the result of disruption of programmed cell death (Apoptosis).

Does the test show the location, spread or type of cancer?

No, the test does not show the type, spread or location of the cancer. PanTum® Detect is a screening blood test and a positive result indicates the presence of a tumor if the levels of two enzyme biomarkers are raised. In case of a positive test result, Imaging (PET/CT, MRI) & Pathology diagnostics (Tumor markers, Histopathology / Cytology) are carried out for further confirmatory diagnosis.

The “Cancer-Scan” program combines blood testing with PanTum® Detect and confirmatory techniques (Imaging + Pathology) for those who test positive as an integrated multi-tumor screening concept for early detection of cancer.

My PanTum® Detect test is positive – what happens next?

If your test is positive, you will need to schedule an appointment with your doctor who will assess you clinically, including any signs and symptoms you may have. You will be referred to an Oncologist who will guide you on follow-up investigations for confirmatory diagnosis (Imaging + Pathology).

My PanTum® Detect test is negative – what happens next?

This is great news! No immediate further test is required. Maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Your doctor will recommend that you schedule another PanTum® Detect blood test after 3 to12 months depending on your total PanTum® Detect negative score. It is recommended that you continue with routine cancer screenings based on your doctor’s guidance.

How accurate is PanTum® Detect?

PanTum® Detect has a CE IVD certification with a sensitivity of 97.5% (true positives) and specificity of 99% (true negatives).

  • Statistically 2.5 in 100 candidates with the disease will receive a false negative result (they do have a disease but test negative).
  • Statistically 1 in 100 candidates screened will receive a false positive result (they don’t have any disease but test positive).
Who is excluded from undergoing PanTum® Detect blood test?

Individuals who want to undergo PanTum® Detect need to be in a healthy state to ensure highest blood sample quality.

Following are the inclusion / exclusion criteria for undergoing PanTum Detect blood test.

  • Individuals less than 18 years of age.
  • Individuals diagnosed with cancer and on active treatment.
  • Individuals who have undergone imaging investigation where contrast media has been used (MRI / PET-CT / CT) can undergo this blood test after 1 week.
  • Individuals who have suffered from acute bacterial or viral infection (Covid, Acute herpes zoster, Typhoid, Viral hepatitis, etc.) can undergo this blood test after 2 weeks of recovery.
  • Individuals who have been administered any vaccination can undergo this blood test after 4 weeks.
  • Individuals who are on following medications can undergo this blood test after stopping the medication for 8 weeks.
    • Corticosteroid containing drugs
    • Immunosuppressants (Methotrexate, Cyclosporine, Azathioprine, Tacrolimus, Mycophenolate, Rapamycin, Sirolimus, Adalimumab, Infliximab etc.)
    • Amygdalin (Vitamin B17)
    • GMCSF (Sargramostim)
  • Individuals who have suffered from febrile illness or any major surgery or any severe trauma can undergo this blood test after 8 weeks of recovery.
  • Individuals in remission (free of cancer and not on any active treatment) for 1 year can undergo this test.
What are the benefits and limitations of testing with PanTum® Detect and participating in Cancer-Scan Program?

Benefits:

  • PanTum® Detect is a simple blood test
  • PanTum® Detect has a high sensitivity of 97.5% (true positives) and specificity of 99% (true negatives) as per IVD CE validation study
  • PanTum® Detect is suitable for annual multi-cancer screening when integrated with Cancer-Scan
  • Only those screened candidates are exposed to imaging who test positive with PanTum® Detect
  • Annual screening increases the chance of detecting a silently growing tumor in an early stage

Limitations:

  • PanTum® Detect is not suitable for individuals with a compromised immune system which has an effect on circulating macrophage numbers
  • No screening test provides a result thatis 100% accurate or reliable
    • Statistically 1 in 100 candidates screened will receive a false positive result (they don’t have the disease but test positive)
    • Statistically 2.5 in 100 candidates with disease will receive false negative result (they do have disease but test negative)
  • False results are a psychological strain for individuals that get screened with PanTum® Detect