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Promising results from a clinical trial in the UK reveal that a simple blood test could diagnose 50 types of cancer. This major medical advance would help in the early diagnosis and treatment of patients. The results of this study, called Symplify, were presented at the Asco 2023 congress.
The Galleri blood test was tested on 5,000 patients who visited their GP for unexplained symptoms, in England and Wales. It detected two-thirds of cancers diagnosed in study participants. And in 85% of the cancers identified, the test also made it possible to locate the original site of the malignant tumor. The Galleri test finds tiny fragments of tumor DNA in the blood, a sign of cancer. It also indicates the place in the organism from which this sign could come.
Reduce the time to diagnosis of cancers
The University of Oxford researchers behind this liquid biopsy trial say their test could reduce the time it takes to diagnose cancers and save patients from undergoing a battery of tests and numerous visits to the hospital. ‘hospital. They cited several numbers to show the effectiveness of their test. Of the 350 patients diagnosed with cancer using conventional diagnostic methods (biopsies, scans, etc.), 75% had received the same diagnosis using the Galleri blood test. The Galleri blood test was wrong for only 2.5% of cancer patients (false negative).
A way to detect silent cancers?
This test, developed by the Californian company Grail, has also been used on thousands of asymptomatic people to see if it can detect silent cancers. The first results are expected next year. If they prove conclusive, the National Health Service (UK health system) could extend the test to more patients (around one million people in 2024 and 2025).
Further research is needed
The study authors said the test was particularly effective in diagnosing hard-to-spot cancers such as brain and neck, bowel, lung, pancreatic and throat cancers. However, cancer specialists urge caution and ask that further research be conducted on a larger cohort. “The results of this study suggest that this test could be of great help in guiding treating physicians in their diagnosis. But more scientific work is needed, and needs to be done on more patients.”said Dr. David Crosby of Cancer Research UK (a British center for research and the fight against cancer).