‘World first’ blood test that detects deadliest brain tumours earlier could speed up treatment and save lives
BRITISH scientists are testing a world-first blood test for brain cancer.
The simple check could reduce the need for invasive and risky biopsy surgery that is currently used.
It could also help docs to diagnose brain cancers earlier, potentially leading to quicker treatment and better survival rates.
Experts said the liquid biopsy would be particularly beneficial for patients with "inaccessible" brain tumours that cannot be operated on.
The test works by detecting chunks of tumour DNA floating in the bloodstream and can detect glioblastoma, astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma.
Glioblastoma is the most common type of brain cancer in adults and is fast-growing and very deadly.
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Researchers at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, run by Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, have performed the first studies of the test's accuracy.
They found it had "high analytical sensitivity, specificity and precision", according to a study in the International Journal of Cancer.
They now hope to conduct larger studies in the UK to validate the results and estimate that patients could benefit from the new test in as little as two years.
The TriNetra-Glio blood test, by Datar Cancer Genetics, works by staining circulating cells and inspecting them under a microscope.
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Same detail as a surgical biopsy
Kevin O'Neill, consultant neurosurgeon, said: "This test detects intact circulating tumour cells from the blood, which can be analysed to the same cellular detail as an actual tissue sample.
"It's a real breakthrough for treatment of brain cancers that rarely spread around the body.
"This could help speed up diagnosis, enabling surgeons to apply tailored treatments based on that biopsy to increase patients' chances of survival."
Dr Nelofer Syed, who leads the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at Imperial, added: "A non-invasive, inexpensive method for the early detection of brain tumours is critical for improvements in patient care.
"There is still some way to go, but this solution could help people where a brain biopsy or surgical resection of the tumour is not possible due to the location of the tumour or other constraints.
"Through this technology, a diagnosis of inaccessible tumours can become possible through a risk-free and patient-friendly blood test.
"We believe this would be a world first as there are currently no non-invasive or non-radiological tests for these types of tumours."
Many patients die within a year
Brain Tumour Research called the findings "significant" as less than 1 per cent of patients with GBM live for more than 10 years and, for many, the prognosis is as little as 12 months.
Dan Knowles, chief executive of the charity, said: "This ground-breaking research could lead to earlier diagnosis and improved outcomes for brain tumour patients.
It's scandalous that there have been no improvements to treatment in 20 years
Dan Knowles
"The research undertaken in UK universities is world class and something we should all be proud of, but we need so much more.
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"It is scandalous to think that there have been no improvements to treatment options for this type of tumour in two decades and the standard of care for GBM patients - surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy - remains unchanged.
"This is why we are campaigning for the Government and larger charities to invest more and we will keep up the pressure until patients and their families get the help they so desperately need."
WHAT ARE BRAIN TUMOURS?
BRAIN tumours are cancers that develop in the brain or possibly nerves in the spinal cord.
They are a relatively uncommon form of cancer but are very deadly because brain damage can have such devastating effects.
Around 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain and nervous system tumours each year and there are 5,500 deaths annually.
Just one in 10 patients are still alive 10 years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, and in 97 per cent of cases they could not be prevented.
Glioblastoma is the most common form of cancerous brain tumour in adults.
The top symptoms are:
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Feeling sick, drowsy or vomiting
- Mental health changes or memory issues
- Behavioural changes and becoming more irritable
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Vision or speech problems
Treatment may include brain surgery, steroids, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.
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