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Developed by the ABC School of Medicine in partnership with LiqSci, the RosalindTest detects breast cancer in blood with 95% accuracy before the tumor appears in imaging tests — and has already been tested in 1,200 women including 600 from rural areas of São Paulo and Ceará
A Brazilian university has created a blood test that identifies breast cancer with 95% accuracy before the tumor appears in mammography. The RosalindTest, developed by the ABC School of Medicine (FMABC) in partnership with the biotechnology company LiqSci, works with a simple blood draw and analyzes two molecular biomarkers linked to tumor survival.
The test measures the activity of messenger RNA from the genes HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor) and GLUT1 (glucose transporter). These genes become active when tumor cells begin to develop in a low oxygen environment, a phenomenon called tumor hypoxia.
“In our studies, we realized that if we detected this cellular change in peripheral blood, we could detect the disease early”, explained Fernando Luiz Affonso Fonseca, a scientist involved in the research, according to Só Notícia Boa.
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How the RosalindTest detects cancer in blood
The technology uses digital PCR to accurately measure the activity of biomarkers in the blood. Unlike mammography, which identifies physical changes in the breast, the RosalindTest works at the molecular level — detecting biological signals before the tumor forms or becomes visible in images.
The test is complementary to mammography, not a substitute. When biomarkers indicate abnormal activity, the patient is referred for confirmatory tests such as biopsy. However, early detection can raise the cure rate to around 90%, reducing the need for aggressive treatments.
- Accuracy: 95% in identifying biomarkers
- Biomarkers: HIF-1α and GLUT1 (tumor hypoxia)
- Technology: Digital PCR with messenger RNA
- Collection: simple blood sample
- Indication: complementary screening, starting at age 40
- Studies: ~1,200 women, including 600 from rural areas
- Development: 10 years of research
600 rural women tested the exam
The RosalindTest has already undergone three clinical studies. The first involved 150 women (125 with breast cancer and 25 without), identifying clear differences in GLUT biomarkers. Subsequent validations expanded the sample to about 1,200 women.
One of the most recent studies took the test to 600 women from rural areas in São Paulo and Ceará, where access to mammography is limited due to lack of infrastructure. The FMABC highlights that the test can enhance screening in remote basic health units.
The name “RosalindTest” honors Rosalind Franklin, a British scientist who contributed to the understanding of the structure of DNA — the scientific basis for molecular analyses like this one.
Caveats and Limitations
The RosalindTest does not replace mammography. It acts as an initial screening tool that indicates the need for confirmatory tests. The studies are considered preliminary by the scientific community.
So far, there is no formal regulatory approval from Anvisa cited in the available sources. The test is in the application and validation phase, available through the official website. The 95% accuracy refers to the differentiation between patients with and without the disease in early stages — larger longitudinal validations are still needed. For more information, see the Metrópoles report and the CNN Brasil.
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