Lung cancer blood tests that can speed up treatment offered to thousands of NHS patients

Lung cancer blood tests that can speed up treatment are to be offered to thousands of NHS patients

People whose CT scans show signs of lung cancer will have their blood examined for fragments of DNA that the tumour has shed into their veins

This so-called circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) will provide detailed information about the genetic composition and form of the cancer, enabling oncologists to prescribe specific treatments more quickly.

Laboratories will return results in two weeks and the patient will immediately be given the best drugs to attack their cancer.

The test, made by Roche, the pharmaceutical firm, will be accurate for non-small cell cancers, which make up around four in five of the UK’s 34,000 yearly diagnoses.

They are 100 per cent accurate when ctDNA is identified. The small fragments of DNA are spotted in around 80 per cent of cases and detection is more likely in more advanced cases.

After their scan, patients currently have to have a biopsy that is sent for time-consuming genomic testing. The NHS hopes to use the test on 10,000 patients over the next 12 months.

Peter Johnson, the national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, said: “This new blood test that we have been piloting has the potential to help many more cancer patients access targeted treatments more rapidly on the NHS, to make personalised treatments available sooner, and ensure that people with cancer have the best possible chance of survival.

“The NHS has shown it can lead the way on innovation in cancer diagnosis and treatment, and this pilot is another example of our commitment to getting patients cutting-edge treatments and therapies to improve outcomes, giving people facing lung cancer more precious time with loved ones.”

The nationwide rollout of the scheme follows a pilot programme at 80 trusts that involved more than 2,000 patients.

One patient to benefit from the test was Kat Robinson, 33, from Dorset, who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in September 2023.

The test, done at Poole Hospital, identified two key genes driving her cancer, ALK fusion and TP53, and doctors prescribed brigatinib, a drug that targets the ALK gene.

“Having the ctDNA test results back gave me a sense of relief that there was no one to blame, I couldn’t be angry about it,” she said.

“The tablets help me keep my cancer in check, they are allowing me to carry on with my day-to-day life. I can do things with my family – I can be a mum to my daughter.”

Andrew Stephenson, a health minister, said: “Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers so it’s vital that we can detect it as soon as possible and start targeted treatment.

“The results of this trial so far have shown that we could speed up diagnosis, getting people started on treatments targeted to their specific cancer type sooner. Survival rates are already improving across almost all types of cancer, with cancer being diagnosed at an earlier stage, more often.”