Miory Regional Executive Committee

In Vitebsk, starting from early June, it will be possible to undergo a blood test for 60 types of cancer, while other regions will be connected subsequently. This was announced by Sergey Krasny, Deputy Director for Scientific Affairs at the N.N. Alexandrov Republican Scientific and Practical Centre of Oncology and Medical Radiology.

"Testing in the Vitebsk Region will begin in the first days of June. During June and up to early July, Minsk and the Minsk Region will be connected. Subsequently, the remaining regions will be added," Sergey Krasny stated.

According to him, this is a major Belarusian-German technology transfer project. Production of all necessary reagents has already been established in Belarus. The PanTum Detect test can detect over 60 types of malignant tumours and replaces approximately 200 diagnostic procedures. Thanks to this test, diseases can be identified at various stages, including stage zero (precancerous conditions). It also facilitates the detection of pathologies for which effective early screening methods are currently unavailable.

The principle of the PanTum Detect test is based on the analysis of macrophages. "The procedure involves flow cytometry. Immune system cells, specifically macrophages, are isolated to detect traces of tumour cells. Macrophages are immune cells responsible for destroying tumours developing in the body. A negative result indicates the absence of a tumour in the body, eliminating the need for further examination. A positive result requires additional diagnostics to confirm the presence of a tumour," Sergey Krasny explained.

He emphasised that the sensitivity and specificity of this test approach 100 per cent, meaning the test is highly accurate.

Locations for blood sampling for the test will be published on the Ministry of Health website in June. Initially, the list of participating laboratories will be relatively limited, but the network will gradually expand. Blood sampling for this test will be conducted by designated certified laboratories. Ultimately, there will be more than 120 such facilities across the entire republic.

As Sergey Krasny explained, staff training is required. This is because blood sampling must be performed with extreme care to avoid damaging macrophages, which are highly sensitive to any kind of stress.

Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by