Breakthrough Brain Cancer Test Offers Diagnosis in Under Two Hours

A new rapid genetic test is being piloted by the NHS, offering the potential to diagnose brain cancer within two hours, a dramatic reduction from the weeks currently required.

This cutting-edge technology analyzes the DNA of tumor samples obtained during biopsies or surgery. The accelerated diagnosis allows for quicker treatment decisions, potentially enabling surgeons to determine the extent of tumor removal during an operation and expediting the start of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It may also provide faster access to clinical trials for patients whose participation depends on precise tumor genetic profiling.

Around 13,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumors annually in the UK. These cancers are notoriously difficult to treat, with a five-year survival rate of only 10%, making them the leading cause of cancer death in children and individuals under 40. The variety of over 100 brain tumor types, each with different treatment responses, underscores the importance of accurate and timely diagnosis.

NHS medical director Professor Frankie Swords described the test as a 'huge leap forward for patients' that could 'completely transform' brain tumor diagnosis. Yvette Cooper, Health and Social Care Secretary, highlighted the breakthrough as a testament to the UK's life sciences and genomics sector, stating that NHS patients are often among the first to benefit from such innovations.

Traditionally, diagnosing brain tumors involves MRI and CT scans followed by microscopic examination of tissue samples in a lab, a process that can take several weeks. The new pilot builds on successful trials in Nottingham and Birmingham and is expanding to five specialist centers across England. Additional genomic laboratory sites are planned for a second phase.

The rapid genomic test was developed by scientists and medical professionals at the University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. In a recent operation at Nottingham University Hospitals, a tumor sample was analyzed while surgery was still in progress. The genetic sequencing took approximately 20 minutes, with results available to the surgical team in under two hours.

One patient, 55-year-old Steve Palmer, who was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma after collapsing at the gym, benefited from the rapid testing. He reported that the swift diagnosis alleviated weeks of anxiety, enabling him to proceed with treatment sooner. The initial phase of the pilot includes University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.