Multi-cancer blood test shows promise

A trial of a blood test for over 50 types of cancer shows it could save lives through early diagnosis.

The Galleri blood test correctly identified two out of every three cancers among 5,000 people in England and Wales who visited their GP with suspected symptoms.

In 85% of those positive cases, it also pinpointed the original site of the cancer.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) was a top recruiter to the study, known as SYMPLIFY, contributing around 10 percent of the study’s participants.

Catching cancers earlier

Galleri is a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test developed by US healthcare company GRAIL. It can detect over 50 different cancers, using genetic sequencing to identify DNA from tumours.

Cancer is easier to treat if diagnosed early. While the research is still at an early stage, if later trials prove successful this test could save lives.

Mr Zaed Hamady, Consultant Cancer Surgeon at UHS and local lead for the trial, said:

“Early detection of cancer and timely intervention is an important factor to improve patient outcomes. Innovative technologies that can expedite cancer diagnosis have potential of saving costly invasive investigations.

“This study paves the way to a larger trial to improve early detection, in line with the NHS long term plan. It is an example of how the NHS can work with industry together to improve patient care.”

Promising results

The SYMPLIFY study was led by the University of Oxford. The findings will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference and published in The Lancet Oncology journal.

Over 350 people who took part were later diagnosed with cancer, using traditional methods such as scans and biopsies. This included around 75% of those who had tested positive on the blood test, and around 2.5% of those who tested negative.

The test cannot therefore be used to rule in or out cancer. However, it could be used to help diagnose cancers earlier, and to identify where in the body the cancer started.

The NHS has also been using the Galleri test in thousands of people without symptoms, to see if it can detect hidden cancers. Initial results are expected next year. If successful, the NHS in England plans to extend the rollout to a further one million people in 2024 and 2025.

NHS National Director for Cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, is a medical oncologist at UHS and Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Southampton. He said:

“This study is the first step in testing a new way to identify cancer as quickly as possible, being pioneered by the NHS – earlier detection of cancer is vital, and this test could help us to catch more cancers at an earlier stage and help save thousands of lives.

“It also shows once again that the NHS is at the forefront of cutting edge, innovative technology.”