Multi-cancer Detection Using Pattern Formation in Drying Body Fluids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies

IntroductionThe ability to detect multiple cancer types with high sensitivity has the potential to reduce diagnostic delays and improve treatment outcomes. Diagnostic patterning tests (DPTs), which utilize self-organized patterns in drying body fluids, are a relatively unexplored diagnostic method. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed their accuracy for multi-cancer detection.MethodsSearches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, eLibrary Russia, and other databases for studies evaluating DPT accuracy in cancer detection. Study quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. Data were analyzed for (i) untreated cancers, (ii) treated cancers, and (iii) precancerous conditions, with controls comprising (iv) healthy individuals and (v) non-cancer patients. Meta-analysis adhered to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy.ResultsOf the 610 identified records, 41 studies involving 15,969 participants were included, encompassing 5265 cancer cases and 189 precancerous condition cases. Pooled sensitivity and specificity across all DPTs were 0.89 (95% CI, 0.83-0.93) and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.84-0.93), respectively. Copper chloride crystallization applied to blood demonstrated the highest sensitivity (0.93; 95% CI, 0.87-0.96) and specificity (0.93; 95% CI, 0.85-0.97), though differences between tests were not statistically significant.ConclusionDespite high heterogeneity and the potential risk of bias, DPTs showed a satisfactory degree of accuracy in detecting over 50 cancer types. Further research is needed to evaluate their potential for early cancer detection.