AI-Powered Blood Test for Early Cancer Detection to be Trialed in UK's NHS

UK Funds AI Blood Test for Early Cancer Detection

A clinical trial of a promising blood test that could offer faster and more accurate diagnoses for common cancers has received funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The miONCO-Dx test detects cancer at an early stage by analysing microRNA expression in blood. It uses artificial intelligence to identify the presence and origin of the disease. The test was developed by Xgenera, a University of Southampton spinout, in collaboration with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Initial analysis of data from more than 20,000 patients showed that the test detected 12 of the most common and lethal cancers at an early stage and with over 99% accuracy. Bowel cancer, the fourth most common cancer in the United Kingdom, is a principal target for the test. Around 44,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year. At Stage 1, approximately 90% of people survive for 5 years or more, but this drops to around 10% at Stage 4. Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said in a press release: "The key to surviving cancer is catching it as early as possible, so this government is taking the urgent action needed to make sure that happens." The DHSC has awarded Xgenera £2.4 million to advance development of the test, which has now been refined into a cheaper, faster, and more scalable version. The funding will support a clinical trial involving 8000 patients. The DHSC described this as "a formal and significant step towards bringing the test closer to patients by ensuring it is fit for purpose in the NHS." The trial will be run by Cancer Research UK Southampton Clinical Trials Unit. Dr Victoria Goss, head of early diagnosis and translational research at the trials unit, said in a press release: "A reliable test such as this could have the potential to see a major shift in cancer screening, making it easier and cheaper to provide on the NHS, cutting health inequalities, and ultimately reducing the number of people who die from the disease." Xgenera co-founder Dr Andy Shapanis, a research fellow at the University of Southampton, said that the new study would evaluate the useability, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness of the test for use within the NHS in future. "The hope is that if the test is shown to be successful in the early diagnosis of the 12 cancers we have currently identified biomarkers for, then it could be expanded to look at over 50 other cancers in the future," he said. The miONCO-Dx test follows other attempts at multicancer early detection (MCED), such as the Galleri test from Grail, which is already being trialled in the NHS. Galleri screens for altered DNA methylation patterns in blood and claims to detect more than 50 types of cancer. It raised hopes for earlier diagnosis, less invasive treatment, and potential cost savings. However, critics have raised concerns about low detection rates in early-stage cancers, high false-positive rates, imprecise cancer origin analysis, cost, and unproven mortality gains. Questions have also been expressed about possible political influence in its selection for NHS trials. Xgenera co-founder Professor Paul Skipp, director of the Centre for Proteomic Research at the University of Southampton, said earlier this year that the miONCO-Dx test was "a real game-changer." The test can detect lung, breast, prostate, pancreatic, colorectal, ovarian, liver, brain, oesophageal, bladder, bone and soft tissue sarcoma, and gastric cancer. It works by identifying imbalances in microRNAs, a class of small noncoding RNAs with functions in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression, influencing cellular activities including cell growth, differentiation, development, and apoptosis. The presence of microRNA imbalances can be identified from just 10-15 drops of blood, across all stages of tumour growth. In comparison, according to Skipp, screening is only available currently for three types of cancer in the UK, and each test targets a single type. Xgenera has also received external investment from the innovation investment companies Qantx, Empirical Ventures, and Ascension Ventures to further develop the test.

UK trials AI blood test that detects 12 cancers with 99% accuracy

In the case of bowel cancer, for instance, nine in ten patients survive when it's caught at stage one, but that figure drops to just one in ten when diagnosed at stage four. While researchers across the world are racing to improve early detection, a promising breakthrough from the United Kingdom may offer a game-changing approach. A new AI-powered blood test, developed by scientists at the University of Southampton and biotech startup Xgenera, is now being trialed in the UK's National Health Service. The test, called miONCO-Dx, analyzes blood samples for tiny genetic fragments released by tumors, allowing for cancer detection long before symptoms appear. The test requires only 10 drops of blood to search for signs of 12 common and deadly cancers, including lung, ovarian, bowel, breast, pancreatic, and even certain brain tumors. Using AI to analyze microRNA from the blood, miONCO-Dx not only detects cancer but can also locate where it is in the body. Trials involving 20,000 patients have already shown a stunning 99% accuracy rate. The next step is a clinical trial involving 8,000 patients within the NHS, supported by £2.4 million in government funding.

Blood test for 12 most common cancers launched by NHS

A blood test that can identify the 12 most common cancers will be trialled on the NHS. About 8,000 patients are to be enrolled in a pioneering test that could lead to widespread cancer screening, sparing millions of patients from invasive surgical procedures to check for the disease. On Wednesday, Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, will announce "world-leading" plans to tackle major killers - including bowel, prostate, breast and lung cancer - as he visits a laboratory named after Dame Deborah James, the late campaigner. If it is introduced, the test will allow patients to be diagnosed without having to undergo procedures such as biopsies and colonoscopies, saving both lives and money. The test works by measuring the micro RNA in a blood sample, then using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify any cancer present and locate it in the body. Initial results show it is able to identify 12 of the most common and lethal cancers at an early stage, with over 99 per cent accuracy. Experts said the technology was "cheap, fast and scalable" and could be rolled out across the NHS for suspected cancer within two years. It could form the basis for national screening programmes, which would alert people to the risk of disease years prior to symptoms. 'Revolutionising healthcare' The technology has been developed by UK biotech start-up Xgenera with the University of Southampton. Officials said the trials would help to place Britain "at the forefront of revolutionising healthcare". On Wednesday, Mr Streeting will visit a research lab which has been renamed in memory of James, who raised millions of pounds to fight bowel cancer and blogged about the disease on her Bowelbabe website before her death aged 40. The Bowelbabe Laboratory, funded by Cancer Research UK, will bring together leading scientists to advance understanding of bowel cancer, conducting research to aid in the development of new tests and treatments. Mr Streeting, who was treated for kidney cancer while shadow health secretary, said: "From my own experience, I know the devastating toll cancer can take on patients and families, and how many of them have been faced with long waiting lists to get the diagnosis and treatment they deserve. "We know that the key to surviving cancer is catching it as early as possible, so this Government is taking the urgent action needed to make sure that happens through our plan for change, from developing world-leading technology to detect bowel cancer earlier, through to setting up hubs for the UK's top scientists to research and treat the disease."

Blood test that can detect 12 common cancers to be trialled on NHS

A new blood test that uses AI to detect signs of a dozen cancers long before symptoms develop is to be tested on NHS patients. The trial on 8,000 patients will analyse blood samples for tiny fragments of genetic material released by tumours. Tests so far on 20,000 patients show the miONCO-Dx test is 99% accurate in detecting cancer and pinpointing where it is located, allowing a diagnosis to be made when the disease is at a far earlier, treatable stage. As little as 10 drops of blood are all that's needed to detect up to 12 common cancers - including lung, gastric, prostate, oesophageal, liver, bladder, ovarian, bowel, pancreatic and breast cancers - as well as bone and soft tissue sarcoma and a type of brain tumour. The Department of Health said the test was now ready for the "validation and verification" stage. Announcement of the trial came as a laboratory was renamed in memory of bowel cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James, who died from the disease aged 40 three years ago. The Bowelbabe lab, which is funded by Cancer Research UK, will bring together scientists to focus on the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the country. Visiting the lab, her mum, Heather, said: "Deborah was quite a science geek really. "Having known how much research she would go into for her own self and for other people, I think she would be so chuffed to see what her fundraising for the Babefund has gone towards. "I am proud of that as well and pleased to see. Things are coming to life that we could only wish happened and it will save more lives, I'm sure." The government has awarded £2.4m to run the trial of the genetic test, which was developed by the University of Southampton and the biotech startup Xgenera. Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, said: "This blood test has the potential to help us detect bowel cancer earlier and reduce the need for invasive tests, and the next step in this trial will now be vital in gathering further evidence on its effectiveness and how it could work in practice. "Dame Deborah James was a tireless and inspirational campaigner who helped change the national conversation on bowel cancer - it's fitting that this lab in her name will drive forward research that could help thousands more people survive the disease." Read more from Sky News: MMA fighter jailed for 15 years Country star seeks pardon from criminal past What are the chances of a British pope? There are 44,000 new cases of bowel cancer in the UK each year, with 17,000 deaths. If caught early about nine in 10 patients survive, but survival drops to just one in 10 if the diagnosis is made at a late stage.