A groundbreaking cancer blood test that was anticipated to be implemented in the NHS has faced setbacks following an unsuccessful trial. The NHS aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of the inaugural multi-cancer blood test, often referred to as the “Holy Grail” by medical professionals, in reducing late-stage cancer diagnoses.
The test, known as The Galleri test, detects minute fragments of tumor DNA in the blood, providing early detection of cancer before symptoms manifest. Over 142,000 NHS patients aged 50 to 77 participated in a three-year evaluation, with half receiving annual blood tests and the remainder undergoing standard NHS screening.
Despite a £150 million investment in the trial to assess whether the test could decrease the number of stage three and four cancer diagnoses, it fell short of this primary objective. Nevertheless, researchers noted some positive outcomes, including a notable decrease in stage four cancer diagnoses, although there was an increase in stage three diagnoses.
Developed by the US-based biotech company GRAIL, the Galleri test is a Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) blood test designed to screen for over 50 cancer types from a single blood sample, often before symptoms present. The presentation of the trial’s mixed results took place at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual conference in Chicago.
Despite the optimism surrounding the test, GRAIL’s chief medical officer, Julie Gralow, indicated that further data was required for NHS approval. Professor Richard Houlston from The Institute of Cancer Research cautioned against emphasizing positive aspects while missing the primary goal, suggesting that a comprehensive trial focusing on patient survival rates would be the most reliable evaluation method.
Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, highlighted the importance of early cancer detection in alignment with the National Cancer Plan. He expressed eagerness to delve into the trial data to determine potential implications for the NHS moving forward.