A protein from tumors may show up in blood — a trial puts the idea to the test

This study investigates whether a protein called FGF19, normally found in the intestine and gallbladder, appears at higher levels in the blood of people with breast or colorectal cancer compared to healthy individuals. Researchers will measure FGF19 and related markers in fasting blood samples from about 119 adults — including cancer patients and healthy controls — to see if it could serve as a cancer detection biomarker. The goal is to establish whether tumors actively release FGF19 into the bloodstream and whether blood levels can distinguish people with cancer from those without.