The paper explains research that identified a novel mechanism by which the porphyrin TCPP, which is used in bioAffinity Technologies’ non-invasive test for the early detection of lung cancer, is incorporated into cancer cells using the cellular receptor CD320, which is involved in the uptake of Vitamin B12.

The automated CyPath^® Lung flow cytometric assay correctly classifies study participants into cancer or high risk cohorts with high accuracy, including participants with nodules smaller than 20 mm. The CyPath^® Lung assay thus has the potential to complement LDCT screening and improve diagnosis of early stage lung cancer.

Porphyrins have been used successfully to treat and diagnose cancer, yet the mechanism of how porphyrins are selectively taken up and how they are retained by cancer cells compared to other cells remains poorly understood. Knowledge about the cellular uptake and retention mechanisms of porphyrins can be used to design more effective porphyrin-based diagnostics and therapeutics.