In an unprecedented breakthrough for oncological medicine in the region, the Center for Research in Surgery and Cancer (Cicica) at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) announced that the Oncoseek technology is now available. It is an ultra-early detection procedure capable of simultaneously identifying the presence of cancer cells before the patient exhibits clinical symptoms or warning signs.
This innovative technique is based on a liquid biopsy that requires only an 8-milliliter blood sample. Through a meticulous analysis, the test functions as a molecular “detective” that locates tumor markers that typically go unnoticed in traditional diagnostic methods. The nine pathologies encompassed by this analysis are: stomach, breast, esophagus, pancreas, liver, ovary, intestine, lung, and lymphoma.
Dr. Rodrigo Mora Rodríguez, director of Cicica-UCR, highlighted that this is the first time Costa Rica and the Caribbean region have a public platform of this kind aimed at healthy individuals with risk factors. “The goal is to detect the presence of transformed cells and determine the organ of origin, which allows physicians to guide treatment in a much more effective and timely manner,” the specialist explained.
One of the pillars of Oncoseek is its sophisticated algorithm, developed in collaboration with the company OncoInv and the global organization Inspire2Live. This system analyzes the relationship between multiple markers and clinical factors, raising the specificity of the test to 92.9% and its sensitivity to 51.7%. These indicators are particularly valuable for reducing false positives and detecting highly aggressive cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, which are often diagnosed at late stages.
The test is designed primarily as an annual screening tool for high-risk populations, including individuals over 50 years old, smokers, patients with family history, diabetes, overweight, or inflammatory diseases.
With the implementation of this technology, the UCR not only strengthens its role as a reference in scientific research but also offers a powerful tool to make early diagnosis accessible, with the potential to save thousands of lives through immediate medical intervention.
