Scientist Raghu Kalluri here on Sunday (February 22) unveiled a new method for early cancer detection at international SPARC Cancer Research Conclave-II, organised by GITAM Deemed to be University in association with Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), the U.S.
Dr. Kalluri, chair of the Department of Cancer Biology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, spoke on the potential of exosomes—microscopic vesicles released by cells. He elucidated how his research is utilising these biomarkers to develop “liquid biopsies.” He highlighted that decoding the messages carried by exosomes in the blood could allow doctors to detect pancreatic and other aggressive cancers in their earliest, most treatable stages, long before they are visible on traditional scans.
He explained how targeting the structural framework around a tumor—specifically fibroblasts and collagen—can potentially stop cancer metastasis, which remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality.
Dr. Kalluri urged the scientific community to shift focus from merely treating end-stage disease to “intercepting” cancer. He argued that the future of oncology lies in non-invasive monitoring that turns cancer into a manageable condition rather than a fatal sentence.
Published – February 22, 2026 07:24 pm IST
