New Blood Test Can Detect Lung Cancer Before Scans

Researchers say the test could enable earlier diagnosis and treatment monitoring

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A new blood test developed by researchers at Shenzhen University in China can detect lung cancer biomarkers at very small amounts, potentially allowing for earlier diagnosis of the disease before tumors are visible on scans. The test combines DNA nanotechnology, CRISPR, and quantum dots to produce a clear signal from just a few molecules. Researchers say this could help make disease treatments simpler, improve survival rates, and lower healthcare costs.

Why it matters

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, so an earlier detection method could have significant impacts on patient outcomes. This new blood test technology also has the potential to be expanded to detect other types of cancers and diseases through portable blood screenings.

The details

The study, published in the journal Optica, found that the new light-based sensor was able to detect lung cancer biomarkers in real patient serum samples. Lead researcher Han Zhang says the test could enable simple blood screenings for lung cancer before a tumor is visible on a CT scan. It could also help doctors monitor a patient's biomarker levels more frequently to assess drug efficacy, rather than relying on less frequent imaging results.

  • The study was recently published in February 2026.

The players

Shenzhen University

The Chinese university where the research on the new blood test was conducted.

Han Zhang

The lead researcher on the study who developed the new light-based sensor technology.

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What they’re saying

“A new light-based sensor can spot incredibly tiny amounts of cancer biomarkers in blood, raising the possibility of earlier and simpler cancer detection.”

— Han Zhang, Lead Researcher (Optica)

“For early diagnosis, this method holds promise for enabling simple blood screenings for lung cancer before a tumor might be visible on a CT scan. It could also help advance personalized treatment options by allowing doctors to monitor a patient's biomarker levels daily or weekly to assess drug efficacy, rather than waiting months for imaging results.”

— Han Zhang, Lead Researcher (Optica)

What’s next

Researchers hope to further develop the technology to power portable blood tests that could be used to detect a wider range of cancers and other diseases.

The takeaway

This new blood test technology represents a significant advancement in early cancer detection that could lead to improved treatment outcomes and lower healthcare costs. If proven effective, it has the potential to transform how certain cancers are diagnosed and monitored.