Blood test developed at University of Michigan aims to detect cancer early

A University of Michigan lab is offering a new blood test, MyHPVscore, designed to detect head and neck cancers linked to human papillomavirus (HPV), SciTechDaily reported. Developed by Michigan Medicine’s Otolaryngology and Translational Oncology Laboratory, the test identifies tumor DNA fragments in the bloodstream, offering a noninvasive way to diagnose and monitor HPV-related cancers.

The lab, a collaboration between the Otolaryngology and Pathology departments, began processing samples in October 2024, after launching in July 2022. It has the capacity to handle 400 samples daily, with plans to start testing around 50 per day over the next year.

Currently serving Michigan patients, national expansion is planned. Experts say the test may detect recurrence before symptoms or imaging reveal it, improving early intervention. Patients with compromised immune systems, including HIV-positive individuals, may particularly benefit. The initiative also aims to inspire more translational research and reinforce Michigan’s role in developing clinical innovations.