The Cancer Tech Accelerator (CTA) is an exciting initiative revolutionising cancer research funding. The goal of this programme is to fast-track the efforts of dedicated cancer researchers, making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients. Specifically, the CTA focuses on supporting projects that enhance cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Read more
Early diagnosis of brain tumours is challenging
In the UK, most brain tumours aren’t diagnosed fast enough. We know from our Improving Brain Tumour Care surveys that 17% of respondents said they had to wait more than six months to get a diagnosis after first seeing a healthcare professional about their symptoms – with a further 11% waiting over a year to be diagnosed.
But a faster diagnosis has the potential to improve outcomes because it can mean treatment, care and support are provided quicker. It can also mean more opportunities to take part in research.
Unfortunately, diagnosing a brain tumour currently requires MRI or CAT scans and there are several barriers that often delay people with a suspected brain tumour from having these scans. These barriers include:
- Long-standing workforce issues in radiology departments (with the Royal College of Radiologists reporting that “we have 30% fewer radiologists than are required to meet the demand ”).
- A lack of available equipment (with a recent report from the government revealing that “the UK continues to have lowest number of MRI units, CT and PET scanners per million population amongst comparator countries”).
- Inconsistent use of direct access to imaging for GPs (our recent Exploring GP Access to Brain Scans in England report took a deep dive into this issue).
But what if it was possible to diagnose a brain tumour using a simple blood test that could be performed anywhere – including by your local GP?
Announcing our new funding for liquid biopsies
Researchers Dr Henno Martin and Dr Radek Lach from the University of Cambridge are focused on developing a highly sensitive blood test that can detect tumour DNA in somebody’s blood.
When tumour cells die or are damaged, they release cell-free DNA (cfDNA) into the bloodstream. The non-invasive test developed by Dr Martin and Dr Lach is known as a liquid biopsy and their version involves analysing a blood sample to detect cfDNA that’s leaked into the bloodstream.
While the test was originally developed for multiple types of cancer, it’s shown the most promising results for brain tumours.
As part of the Cancer Tech Accelerator, we’ve awarded Dr Martin and Dr Lach £70,000 to further evaluate the accuracy of this test.
Why is this important?
Being able to detect the presence of a brain tumour without the need for MRI or CAT scans has the potential to drastically speed up diagnosis times. Not only can liquid biopsies be performed outside of hospitals, but the results are faster to process.
Although scans may still be required to confirm the results or identify where exactly the tumour is located, an accurate liquid biopsy could ensure that people who need a scan receive it faster.
It’s also hoped that this liquid biopsy will be able to detect the severity of a tumour or monitor its progression. This could benefit people who’ve already been diagnosed with a brain tumour by monitoring the state of the tumour or detecting recurrence without the need for MRI or CAT scans.
What have the researchers found out so far?
Dr Martin and Dr Lach have tested their liquid biopsy using blood samples from a small group of people diagnosed with adult gliomas.
They found that it can accurately detect brain tumours without the need for tissue biopsies, MRI scans or CAT scans. In fact, early results suggest that the test may even be more accurate than these traditional imaging methods.
These promising early results highlight the test’s potential to improve brain tumour diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. However, additional testing with a larger group of patients is still required to develop the test further and confirm its accuracy.
What’s next for The Cancer Tech Accelerator?
As part of the Cancer Tech Accelerator program, The Brain Tumour Charity has awarded £70,000 to enable Henno and Radek to further evaluate the accuracy of this test in a larger group of adults with low-grade gliomas.
If successful, the results from this funding period will serve as a foundation for the next steps, including testing on more people in clinical trials and obtaining necessary certifications needed to make this technology available for widespread use in the UK.