Nottingham-developed test to transform brain tumour diagnosis
New NHS pilot could cut diagnosis times from weeks to days
Patients with brain tumours will be offered rapid genetic testing as part of a new pilot study which experts say could “transform” diagnosis and treatment.
The new DNA test will reduce the average diagnosis rates from weeks to days, NHS officials said.
And when medics need to know the precise type of tumour during surgery, diagnosis can be confirmed within two hours while the operation is still happening.
NHS England said that the test, which works by quickly analysing the genetic code of a sample of a patient’s tumour, will be piloted in specialist centres around England.
It is hoped that the move will help patients get personalised care sooner and could help them enrol on to clinical trials which they otherwise would have missed out on.
Officials said that brain tumours are “notoriously difficult” to diagnose, with more than 100 different types which range from slow-growing tumours to aggressive cancers.
Professor Frankie Swords, NHS England’s medical director, said: “This remarkable rapid test has the potential to completely transform how we diagnose brain tumours, with results reaching patients in a matter of days rather than weeks.
“This is a huge leap forward for patients – a faster diagnosis means they can start the right treatment or access clinical trials sooner, while for some patients it could mean surgeons can make potentially life-changing decisions about their surgery while on the operating table.”
The rapid genomic test was created by experts at the University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, where it is already in use.
Stuart Smith, consultant neurosurgeon at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and clinical associate professor at the University of Nottingham, said the test “will save valuable waiting time for patients who potentially are being told they don’t have time on their side”, adding: “The ability to have detailed information about the tumour at the point when decisions are being made in the operating theatre is game-changing.
“In some cases, that can help us judge how far we should safely go while protecting healthy brain tissue.
“This gives us a glimpse of how brain tumour surgery could change in the future – with genomic information available during the operation itself, helping us make more informed decisions for each individual patient.”
One patient described how the rapid test has taken away “what could have been weeks of anxiety”.
Steve Palmer, 55, from Nottingham, was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma after collapsing at the gym.
Mr Palmer said: “For me, getting that quick diagnosis of exactly what type of tumour I had was a key thing, because it meant we could get the treatment plan in place very rapidly.
“Getting that definite result quickly took away what could have been weeks of anxiety.
“I’d had the surgery and I just wanted to get on to the next phase of treatment and recovery, and get on with fighting whatever I’ve got to fight.”
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “This is an incredible breakthrough in the technology available to tackle brain tumours.”
Professor Dame Sue Hill, chief scientific officer for England and senior responsible officer for genomics in the NHS, said: “This is another world-leading development for NHS genomics, taking pioneering science and testing how we can use it safely and consistently in patient care.”
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Karen Noble, director of research and policy at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Genomic testing has the power to transform diagnosis, treatment and research for brain tumours, but current turnaround times are in many cases too long to inform care and access to clinical trials, especially for more aggressive forms of the disease.
“This rapid testing pilot is a hugely promising development towards improving outcomes for brain tumour patients.”
Dr Simon Newman, chief scientific officer at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “More than a quarter of patients have to wait over a month following surgery to find out which type of brain tumour they have.
“They face weeks of uncertainty and not knowing their prognosis, which one patient described as a ‘cruel, traumatic experience.’
“We are delighted to be part of the team helping to facilitate this landmark pilot, which builds on our Brain Matrix trial. It will help shorten what can be an agonising wait for answers and, importantly, provide certainty that enables patients and their families to plan ahead.”