GC Genome's AI-Based Liquid Biopsy Early Screening Technology for Lung Cancer Published in US Cancer Journal

GC Genome, a clinical genomics analysis specialist company, announced on the 2nd that its research on the 'AI-based liquid biopsy data utilization algorithm for lung cancer detection' has been published in the prestigious international cancer journal Cancer Research (IF 12.5).

The title of the paper is "Lung Cancer Detection Using Fragment End Motifs by Size and Genetic Features in Cell-Free DNA," and through this study, it was demonstrated that lung cancer can be screened early using only blood, presenting a new paradigm in cancer diagnosis.

GC Genome developed an algorithm to detect lung cancer by analyzing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from blood. By utilizing the 'Fragment End Motif by Size (FEMS)' technology and deep learning algorithms, the accuracy of early lung cancer detection was significantly improved. In particular, the FEMS technology recorded a sensitivity of 91.0% in early lung cancer detection, showing superior performance compared to existing genomic analysis technologies.

This study was conducted in collaboration with Seoul National University Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, GC Green Cross i-Med Health Screening Center, and the US company Genece Health. Through large-scale validation involving Koreans and Caucasians, the racial generalizability of the technology was verified. The research team built the model using data from 2,777 Koreans and then evaluated its performance on a Korean validation cohort (1,247 individuals) and a Caucasian validation cohort (100 individuals). The results showed a sensitivity of 95.5% and specificity of 83.8% in the Korean validation group, and a sensitivity of 94.0% and specificity of 84.0% in the Caucasian validation group. Even among stage 1-2 early lung cancer patients, a sensitivity of 91.1% was demonstrated, indicating excellent performance in early cancer diagnosis.

This blood-based early lung cancer detection technology is expected to enable more efficient screening by improving test accessibility and accuracy when used prior to the current lung cancer screening method, low-dose CT (LDCT). Furthermore, this technology is anticipated to play a significant role in the future development of cancer diagnostic technologies, as it can be applied not only to lung cancer but also to various other cancer types.

Ki Chang-seok, CEO of GC Genome, stated, "With this study being published in an international journal, we have proven the technological superiority of the AI-based non-invasive early lung cancer detection algorithm and confirmed new possibilities in cancer diagnosis. We will continue to lead innovation in early diagnosis across various cancers, including lung cancer."

Meanwhile, GC Genome launched the 'ai-CANCERCH' product, which applies AI algorithms based on liquid biopsy technology, in the domestic cancer screening market in September 2023. ai-CANCERCH is a test that can screen for more than six types of cancer?including lung, liver, colorectal, pancreatic-biliary, esophageal, and ovarian cancers?with a single blood draw. It demonstrated performance with a high sensitivity of 82.2%, based on data from over 7,000 cancer patients and healthy individuals. Currently, it is used in major university hospitals and health screening specialized institutions in Korea and has recently successfully entered the Japanese market, including seven other countries overseas. Additionally, the core technology of ai-CANCERCH has been licensed to the US company Genece Health, gaining recognition for its competitiveness in the global market.