UK cancer patients to benefit from genetic testing rollout
Hundreds of UK cancer patients will benefit from a rollout of specialised blood tests, providing improved access to genetic testing and personalised therapies.
The Royal Marsden, who are partnering with Guardant Health, will provide circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) molecular profiling, using the Guardant360 Liquid assay powered by Infinity.
These ctDNA liquid biopsies analyse fragments of cancer DNA circulating in the blood to obtain detailed genetic information about a person’s cancer.
The blood tests, which are being rolled out to patients with advanced solid cancers across the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) network, could shape precision clinical trials by including patients with specific genotypes of tumours.
The Royal Marsden already partners with Guardant Health to provide ctDNA testing for select lung and breast cancer patients.
“At The Royal Marsden, we are leading the way in the use of genomics and precision medicine to improve cancer care for patients,” said Dr Angela George, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Clinical Director of Genomics at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.
“Our long-term partnership with Guardant Health is a great example of collaboration, helping to achieve our ambitions for genomics innovation in the UK.
“This initiative will help expand access to ctDNA testing, enabling clinicians to obtain detailed molecular information about a patient’s cancer from a simple blood test. By increasing access to this testing across the ECMC network, we hope more patients will be matched to suitable clinical trials and personalised treatment options, helping bring innovative therapies to more patients faster.”
Cancer Research UK has announced the rollout, with Dr Sarah Halford, Head of Medical Sciences at the charity’s Centre for Drug Development, saying she is “pleased” to “boost the ctDNA testing capacity.”
“Cancer treatment is becoming increasingly personalised, with advances in technology allowing us to gather and analyse detailed information about a person’s cancer, not just where in the body it originates, to inform their treatment plan.”