Researchers developed a novel, noninvasive diagnostic technique utilizing DNA methylation biomarkers obtained from bilateral nasal swabs processed automatically to detect nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This epigenetic marker-based approach, published in BMC Cancer, represents a significant advancement over invasive detection methods and could enable earlier cancer identification. The method leverages high-throughput biomarker discovery and automated sample preparation, highlighting epigenetics' growing role in oncology diagnostics.