The Science Behind LiquidMammo™
LiquidMammo™ is built on circulating microRNA biology — a molecular signal that can reveal early cancer‑associated dysregulation. Unlike imaging, which detects structural findings, microRNA signatures reflect underlying tumor biology and may appear earlier in the cancer development process.
LiquidMammo is being developed as a CLIA Laboratory Developed Test (LDT). It is not yet FDA‑cleared or FDA‑approved.
What are microRNAs?
- Small non‑coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression.
- Involved in proliferation, immune signaling, DNA repair, and metastasis.
- Stable in blood due to packaging in vesicles or protein complexes.
- Dysregulation patterns differ between healthy and cancer‑associated tissues.
- Detectable through blood‑based molecular assays.
Why microRNA testing supports screening
Early biological changes
MicroRNA dysregulation may appear before structural changes are visible on imaging.
Density‑independent signal
Molecular signatures are not affected by dense breast tissue.
Complementary to imaging
A biological layer strengthens traditional screening workflows.
The LiquidMammo multi‑marker panel
LiquidMammo analyzes a proprietary panel of microRNAs associated with breast‑cancer biology, including:
- Cell‑cycle regulation
- Immune microenvironment signaling
- Angiogenesis and stromal remodeling
- Apoptosis and oncogenic stress
- Subtype‑specific expression patterns
Analytical approach
- Standardized pre‑analytical blood processing workflow.
- RNA extraction and QC under validated SOPs.
- Quantitative measurement of microRNA abundance.
- Machine‑learning classification using reference distributions.
- Density‑aware interpretation with contextual reporting.
Where the test adds value
- Clarifying ambiguous or equivocal imaging results.
- Supporting decisions in dense‑breast patients.
- Strengthening confidence between screening intervals.
- Providing a biological signal for patients who defer mammography.
Limitations
LiquidMammo is a supplemental tool, not a replacement for mammography, MRI, ultrasound, or clinical judgement. All results should be interpreted within full clinical context.