New liver cancer blood test offers hope for earlier recurrence detection
A new liver cancer blood test developed by Curtin University researchers may soon transform how patients detect recurring disease, offering a simpler, more accurate, and more accessible alternative to current imaging-based monitoring. The LIVER-Trace project, led by Dr Rodrigo Carlessi at the Curtin Medical Research Institute (Curtin MRI), has received nearly AUD 500,000 under the Innovation Seed Fund 2024-25 program supported by the Western Australian Government’s FHRI Fund.
A major step toward accessible liver cancer monitoring
Liver cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide and carries a high recurrence risk even after successful treatment. Current follow-up monitoring relies largely on MRI and CT scans—tools that are costly, may miss small tumours, and are often inaccessible for patients living in rural or regional communities.
The new blood test aims to overcome these challenges by detecting tumour-specific circulating DNA changes (ctDNA) in the bloodstream, enabling precision monitoring with greater sensitivity and broader accessibility.
Dr Carlessi said the technology represents a precision health breakthrough that could bring life-saving surveillance within reach for more patients.
“Our study will evaluate the ability of this test to detect liver cancer recurrence more accurately than current methods, while also being more readily available to people living in rural and regional areas,” he said.
He added that earlier recurrence detection would enable timely medical intervention, improved outcomes, and higher survival rates.
Pilot results show strong potential
Developed as part of the Liver Cancer Collaborative, the LIVER-Trace test requires only a small volume of plasma, making it suitable for frequent monitoring even in resource-limited settings.
In a pilot study, the test successfully detected residual tumour DNA after surgery—even when MRI scans showed no remaining disease. It also identified cancer recurrence in patients with and without radiological confirmation.
Dr Carlessi said the simplicity and scalability of the test make it suitable for national and global adoption, particularly in regions with limited cancer care infrastructure.
The next stage of the project involves evaluating the test in a larger patient group, with the new funding enabling clinical validation and scale-up over the next 24 months.
Curtin university backing world-leading innovation
Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, John Curtin Distinguished Professor Melinda Fitzgerald, congratulated the team on securing crucial support for advancing liver cancer diagnostics.
“Liver cancer remains a leading cause of death around the world, and projects such as LIVER-Trace puts Curtin at the forefront of the global fight against the disease,” she said.
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