#290 ‒ Liquid biopsies for early cancer detection, the role of epigenetics in aging, and the future of aging research | Alex Aravanis, M.D., Ph.D.

This podcast episode explores the groundbreaking advancements in DNA sequencing, its impact on healthcare, and its potential role in early cancer detection and anti-aging interventions. It delves into the groundbreaking discovery of using cell-free DNA to detect cancer in pregnant women and discusses the challenges and strategies of developing a universal blood test for cancer. The episode also highlights the importance of balancing sensitivity and specificity in diagnostic tests and explores the potential benefits and challenges of using multi-cancer blood tests to detect cancer early. Lastly, it examines the significance of methylation in the context of aging and the potential of epigenetics for understanding and reversing cellular aging.