Medical professionals and researchers have created a groundbreaking blood test for brain cancer that has the potential to transform the way the disease is detected, treated, and ultimately improve chances of survival.

Brain tumors have long been known for their challenging diagnostic process. They impact countless individuals globally annually and are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among those under 40 in the UK.

A team of researchers has developed a basic blood test that may aid in the timely diagnosis of patients with the most fatal types of brain cancer, potentially avoiding the need for invasive and risky surgical procedures. This advancement was published in the International Journal of Cancer.

Specialists stated that the affordable liquid biopsy could potentially result in earlier detection, ultimately expediting treatment and potentially improving survival rates. They further explained that this examination would be especially advantageous for individuals with brain tumors that are difficult to access, as it would allow them to begin treatment as soon as possible.

The team at the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, which is operated by Imperial College London and Imperial College healthcare NHS trust, discovered that their test can effectively detect various types of brain tumours such as glioblastoma (GBM), the most frequently diagnosed high-grade brain tumour in adults, as well as astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. The researchers reported that the test has a high level of analytical sensitivity, specificity, and precision.

Dan Knowles, the CEO of Brain Tumour Research, stated that this revolutionary study could potentially result in earlier detection and better results for individuals with brain tumors.

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Researchers are currently making preparations for additional investigations to confirm the findings. If these efforts are fruitful, individuals may be able to take advantage of the improved test within a timeframe of two years.

The TriNetra-Glio blood test, created through financial support from Datar Cancer Genetics, functions by separating glial cells that have detached from the tumor and can be detected in the bloodstream. These isolated cells are then dyed and can be recognized using a microscope.

According to Dr. Nelofer Syed, head of the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, finding a low-cost and non-invasive way to detect brain tumours early is crucial for enhancing patient care. While there is still progress to be made, this approach could benefit individuals who are unable to undergo a brain biopsy or tumor removal surgery due to the location or other limitations.

This technology allows for a safe and patient-friendly blood test that can potentially diagnose previously inaccessible tumors. It would be a groundbreaking achievement, as there are currently no non-invasive or non-radiological tests available for these specific types of tumors.

Kevin O’Neill, consultant neurosurgeon at Imperial College healthcare NHS trust and honorary clinical senior lecturer at Imperial College London, who leads the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence with Syed, said: “This test is not just an indicator of disease, it is a truly diagnostic liquid biopsy.

“It detects intact circulating tumour cells from the blood, which can be analysed to the same cellular detail as an actual tissue sample. It’s a real breakthrough for treatment of brain cancers that rarely spread around the body.

This has the potential to expedite the process of diagnosing and allow for customized treatments based on the biopsy results, ultimately improving the likelihood of survival for patients. I am extremely thankful to all those who participated in this research, particularly the patients.

According to Knowles from Brain Tumour Research, the results are important because only a small fraction (less than 1%) of patients with GBM survive for over 10 years. For many, the forecast is only around 12 months.

The research conducted in universities in the UK is of the highest caliber and something to take pride in, but there is a significant need for further advancements. Specifically, there is a pressing need for innovative methods of treating GBM, a type of cancer that is typically fatal.

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Brain tumors are responsible for the most deaths among people under the age of 40 in the UK, compared to other types of cancer. It is crucial for us to discover a treatment for this destructive illness.

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It is outrageous to consider that there has been no progress in treatment choices for this specific tumor in the past twenty years, and the usual course of action for GBM patients – surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy – has not been altered.

We are advocating for the government and bigger charitable organizations to allocate more resources, and we will persist until patients and their loved ones receive the necessary assistance they require.

Source: theguardian.com