NIEHS News feature: Aflatoxin exposure marker may lead to early detection of liver cancer

May 2, 2017

Decades can pass before signs of developing liver cancer appear to a patient or doctor, so early detection is critical. Pairing a unique understanding of cancerous genetic mutation patterns with cutting-edge lab technology, NIEHS-supported researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) documented early signs of liver cancer in mice.

Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Though it may be possible to reduce chemical and viral risks for the disease, few symptoms appear until the late stage, when it is often too late to treat, said lead author Supawadee Chawanthayatham, Ph.D.