Science Quickly How Are Prenatal Blood Tests Detecting Cancer?
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Apr 11, 2025 Laura Herscher, a genetic counselor and director of student research at Sarah Lawrence College, dives into the groundbreaking use of non-invasive prenatal blood tests. These tests, while primarily aimed at detecting fetal chromosomal disorders, can also inadvertently reveal cancers in pregnant individuals. Herscher discusses the IDENTIFY study, which examines these unexpected findings. She also highlights the complexities faced by healthcare providers when treating pregnant patients with cancer, emphasizing the need for coordinated care amid evolving treatment challenges.
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NIPT and Cancer Detection
- Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) analyzes placental DNA in a pregnant person's blood.
- It aims to detect chromosomal disorders in the fetus, but rarely reveals maternal cancer.
NIPT vs. Traditional Tests
- Before NIPT, prenatal testing for chromosomal disorders was either invasive or inaccurate.
- NIPT offered a less invasive, more accurate option, leading to its widespread adoption.
How NIPT Works
- NIPT analyzes cell-free DNA fragments in the bloodstream to identify chromosomal abnormalities.
- Deviations in the expected proportions of these fragments can indicate fetal or maternal issues.