NMR analysis of metabolomics in blood samples identify cancers in a mixed population of patients with nonspecific symptoms

Early diagnosis of cancer is critical for improving patient outcomes, but cancers may be hard to diagnose if patients present with nonspecific signs and symptoms. A study at the University of Oxford (UK) found that among a mixed group of patients referred from primary care with nonspecific signs and symptoms, NMR-based metabolomics can assist in identifying patients with cancer, and differentiate those with and without metastatic disease.