A blood test for more than 50 types of cancer could help speed up diagnosis according to a new study. Results of a trial in north America show that the test was able to identify a wide range of cancers, of which three quarters don't have any form of screening programme. More than half the cancers were detected at an early stage, where they are easier to treat and potentially curable. The Galleri test, made by American pharmaceutical firm Grail, can detect fragments of cancerous DNA that have broken off a tumour and are circulating in the blood.
The trial followed 25,000 adults from the US and Canada over a year. Nearly one in a hundred of those tested had a positive result, and in 62% of these cases, cancer was later confirmed. The test accurately ruled out cancer in over 99% of negative results. When combined with existing screening programs for breast, bowel, and cervical cancers, the test increased the overall cancer detection rate sevenfold. Notably, three quarters of cancers detected through the test had no current screening initiatives, affecting organs like the ovaries, liver, pancreas, and stomach.
The blood test correctly identified the cancer's origin in 90% of cases, raising hopes for its future applicability in early diagnosis. However, experts caution that additional evidence is required to confirm whether earlier detection translates into reduced cancer mortality rates. The topline results are to be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology congress in Berlin, although comprehensive findings await publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Follow-up studies are underway, including a significant trial involving 140,000 NHS patients set to release results next year.
Dr. Nima Nabavizadeh, a key researcher in this study, expressed optimism about the test's potential to fundamentally transform cancer screening modalities. Nonetheless, peers emphasize that conclusive data from randomized studies focusing on mortality are imperative to validate its efficacy. Sir Harpal Kumar from Grail points to the opportunity for detecting aggressive cancers earlier, which can lead to more effective treatments. Meanwhile, Cancer Research UK stresses the necessity of careful evaluation to avoid overdiagnosis of less harmful cancers. The UK National Screening Committee's involvement will be critical in determining the test's integration into national healthcare protocols.
The trial followed 25,000 adults from the US and Canada over a year. Nearly one in a hundred of those tested had a positive result, and in 62% of these cases, cancer was later confirmed. The test accurately ruled out cancer in over 99% of negative results. When combined with existing screening programs for breast, bowel, and cervical cancers, the test increased the overall cancer detection rate sevenfold. Notably, three quarters of cancers detected through the test had no current screening initiatives, affecting organs like the ovaries, liver, pancreas, and stomach.
The blood test correctly identified the cancer's origin in 90% of cases, raising hopes for its future applicability in early diagnosis. However, experts caution that additional evidence is required to confirm whether earlier detection translates into reduced cancer mortality rates. The topline results are to be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology congress in Berlin, although comprehensive findings await publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Follow-up studies are underway, including a significant trial involving 140,000 NHS patients set to release results next year.
Dr. Nima Nabavizadeh, a key researcher in this study, expressed optimism about the test's potential to fundamentally transform cancer screening modalities. Nonetheless, peers emphasize that conclusive data from randomized studies focusing on mortality are imperative to validate its efficacy. Sir Harpal Kumar from Grail points to the opportunity for detecting aggressive cancers earlier, which can lead to more effective treatments. Meanwhile, Cancer Research UK stresses the necessity of careful evaluation to avoid overdiagnosis of less harmful cancers. The UK National Screening Committee's involvement will be critical in determining the test's integration into national healthcare protocols.
