Tumour DNA can now be sampled via bloodstream
Scientists are constantly finding new ways of examining cancers and improving treatments. Here, MediWales, the Life Science Network for Wales, highlights one breakthrough that could have a huge impact on lung cancer patients’ lives
Cancer patients increasingly need to receive “personalised medicine tests” to determine their best course of treatment.
This often requires removing a small amount of tissue from the cancerous tumour for examination under a microscope, also known as a biopsy.
But occasionally these invasive biopsies are not always possible because the tumour is not operable or the patient is too unwell or unwilling to go through with it.
But groundbreaking research has discovered a way of sampling tumour DNA through a patient’s bloodstream, eliminating the need for invasive biopsy via surgery.
The All Wales Genetics Laboratory team at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff deliver a clinical service that uses “circulating tumour DNA” for the detection of biomarkers in a cancer patient’s blood sample.
This allows them to monitor a cancer patient in real time to aid treatment decisions and avoid invasive and costly surgical procedures.
This technology has currently only been employed in clinical practice across Wales for lung cancer, but the team hope this technology may also be developed and applied for other cancer types.
Laboratory staff are now receiving requests for analysis from clinical sites across the UK.
Laboratory staff worked in collaboration with clinical teams and patients across south Wales in the development and roll-out of this new clinical service.
The development and validation of this technology from a research tool to a clinical diagnostic service has taken many years and several research projects.
These projects have been supported by the Wales Cancer Research Centre, the Velindre Charitable Fund via its Stepping Stones Appeal and other Velindre fundraising activities, and AstraZeneca.
Professor Peter Barrett-Lee, medical director for Velindre, said: “This is a really good success story.
“The initiative is an excellent example of dynamic collaboration, with clinicians and academic teams working together to further advance cancer treatments, helping to minimise the impact of cancer on patients and improve the patient experience.”
The research is so highly regarded that it was given the NHS Judges Award at the MediWales Innovation Awards 12 months ago.
Matt Temby, director of operations for the Clinical Diagnostics and Therapeutics Clinical Board said: “I’d like to congratulate the All Wales Genetics Laboratory team on receiving this award which highlights the groundbreaking research and development they undertake.
“This development means that cancer patients are monitored in real time, decisions about their treatment and care can be made faster, and they are saved from invasive procedures, offering them the most appropriate treatment and best possible outcomes.”
Previously, an estimated 30% to 40% of lung cancer patients were unable to have personalised medicine tests and targeted treatment because the tissue was not available to be tested.
But now, thanks to the new technology, they can receive the results in days.
In the event a repeat sample is needed, a further blood sample can be easily taken.
The team is already beginning to develop the service for analysis of patients with colorectal cancer and skin cancer (malignant melanoma).
Staff from the All Wales Genetics Laboratory team at the University Hospital of Wales are now in high demand to give seminars about the service in the UK and across Europe.
*This story first appeared in the MediWales ‘LifeStories’ magazine.