Groundbreaking Cancer Blood Test Shows Promising Results in Early Diagnosis and Improved Treatment Outcomes.
A recent study published by the American pharmaceutical firm Grail has shown that its Galleri blood test can identify more than 50 types of cancer, including those for which no screening program is available. The trial involved 25,000 adults from the US and Canada over a year, with nearly one in 100 getting a positive result.
According to researchers, nearly three-quarters of cancers detected through this new test were those that do not have any form of screening programme, such as ovarian, liver, stomach, bladder, and pancreatic cancer. The blood test also correctly identified the origin of the cancer in nine out of ten cases, offering significant hope for earlier diagnosis and potentially curative treatment.
However, experts caution that further research is needed to confirm whether this blood test will indeed reduce deaths from cancer. Dr Nima Nabavizadeh, lead researcher at Oregon Health & Science University, notes that the data suggests that this new approach could "fundamentally change" their approach to cancer screening by detecting many cancers earlier, when successful treatment or even cure are more likely.
The NHS has already stated that if the results of the trial involving 140,000 patients in England show positive outcomes, it would consider extending the tests to a further one million people. With this exciting new development in the fight against cancer, scientists and medical professionals alike are eagerly awaiting more information on its potential benefits and limitations.
The Galleri test detects fragments of cancerous DNA that have broken off from tumors and are circulating in the blood. It is currently being trialed by the NHS and has shown impressive results so far. While further study is necessary to confirm its effectiveness, this new technology offers a promising tool for early detection and improved treatment outcomes.
According to Sir Harpal Kumar, president of biopharma at Grail, "The vast majority of people who die from cancer do so because we find their cancers too late." He hopes that the Galleri test can help shift towards earlier detection when treatments are more effective and potentially curative.
A recent study published by the American pharmaceutical firm Grail has shown that its Galleri blood test can identify more than 50 types of cancer, including those for which no screening program is available. The trial involved 25,000 adults from the US and Canada over a year, with nearly one in 100 getting a positive result.
According to researchers, nearly three-quarters of cancers detected through this new test were those that do not have any form of screening programme, such as ovarian, liver, stomach, bladder, and pancreatic cancer. The blood test also correctly identified the origin of the cancer in nine out of ten cases, offering significant hope for earlier diagnosis and potentially curative treatment.
However, experts caution that further research is needed to confirm whether this blood test will indeed reduce deaths from cancer. Dr Nima Nabavizadeh, lead researcher at Oregon Health & Science University, notes that the data suggests that this new approach could "fundamentally change" their approach to cancer screening by detecting many cancers earlier, when successful treatment or even cure are more likely.
The NHS has already stated that if the results of the trial involving 140,000 patients in England show positive outcomes, it would consider extending the tests to a further one million people. With this exciting new development in the fight against cancer, scientists and medical professionals alike are eagerly awaiting more information on its potential benefits and limitations.
The Galleri test detects fragments of cancerous DNA that have broken off from tumors and are circulating in the blood. It is currently being trialed by the NHS and has shown impressive results so far. While further study is necessary to confirm its effectiveness, this new technology offers a promising tool for early detection and improved treatment outcomes.
According to Sir Harpal Kumar, president of biopharma at Grail, "The vast majority of people who die from cancer do so because we find their cancers too late." He hopes that the Galleri test can help shift towards earlier detection when treatments are more effective and potentially curative.