Researchers develop a rapid blood test prototype for pancreatic cancer, highlighting the potential of antibody-based diagnostics for early detection.
Barcelona, June 2026 — A multidisciplinary team of researchers in Barcelona, including notable names from CIBER and NANBIOSIS, has developed a prototype diagnostic test capable of detecting pancreatic cancer in minutes from a blood sample. The study, published in Talanta, demonstrates the potential of a low-cost, easy-to-use device for identifying a key biomarker associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common and deadliest form of pancreatic cancer.
The work was carried out by scientists from the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), the Institute for Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), and the Hospital del Mar Research Institute (HMRIB). The prototype was evaluated using plasma samples from 20 patients with pancreatic cancer and 20 healthy individuals.
The test detects soluble AXL (sAXL), a protein that is abnormally elevated in more than 70% of pancreatic tumors. Using a quantitative lateral flow immunoassay—similar to commercial rapid tests—the device provided clear differentiation between samples from patients and healthy controls in just a few minutes.
“This is the first application of a quantitative lateral flow immunoassay for detecting sAXL in plasma,” explains Juan Pablo Salvador, researcher at IQAC-CSIC and corresponding author of the study. The measurements were validated against ELISA, a standard laboratory technique, confirming the diagnostic relevance of the new approach.
Early diagnosis remains one of the major challenges in pancreatic cancer, as more than 85% of patients are diagnosed at stages when surgery—the only curative treatment currently available—is no longer possible. Fast, minimally invasive, and affordable diagnostic tools could therefore have a significant impact on patient survival.
The study also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and translational research. Supported by the CSIC BBQ-CSIC 2022 seed funding program, the project involved experts in nanobiotechnology, cancer biology, hemostasis, and clinical oncology, with additional support from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and the Spanish Pancreatic Cancer Patients Association (ACANPAN).
NANBIOSIS Unit 2 contributes expertise in antibody technologies
The development of the immunoassay benefited from the expertise and facilities available at NANBIOSIS Unit 2 (Custom Antibody Service, CAbS), located at IQAC-CSIC and directed by Prof. Pilar Marco. Unit 2 specializes in the development and production of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and the performance of immunoassays under an ISO 9001-certified quality management system.
Its capabilities in antibody production, purification, and assay development support innovative diagnostic technologies with translational potential, contributing to advances in precision medicine and point-of-care diagnostics.
Reference
Vázquez-Bellón, N., Rodríguez-Núñez, M., Martínez-Bosch, N., Barranco, L. E., Visa, L., García de Frutos, P., Marco, M. P., Navarro, P., & Salvador, J. P. Lateral flow immunoassay detection of soluble AXL for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma diagnosis. Talanta (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2026.129973.
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