The method is based on a gene expression biomarker previously reported by Boston University School of Medicine researchers. The biomarker, however, had limited sensitivity depending on the stage and location of the cancer.

In the study, published online in Cancer Prevention Research, the researchers studied current and former smokers undergoing bronchoscopies for suspicion of lung cancer and compared the likelihood of the subjects having lung cancer using the biomarker, the clinical risk factors and a combination of the two -- the clinicogenomic model.

They found patients using the clinicogenomic model had increased sensitivity, specificity, positive value and negative predictive value of their cancer compared to the other methods.

"Our data suggest that the clinicogenomic model might serve to identify patients who would benefit from further invasive testing, thereby expediting the diagnosis and treatment for their malignancy," study senior author Dr. Avrum Spira said in a statement.

The researchers said they hope this new method will reduce invasive diagnostic procedures for individuals without lung cancer.