Blood test for 50 types of cancer fails to hit key target in major NHS trial in England – VOI.ID

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Galleri blood tests that are expected to detect more than 50 types of cancer have failed to reach their main goal in a large clinical trial in the UK. The test was not statistically proven to reduce the diagnosis of advanced cancer.
In medical research, “statistically not proven” means that the difference in results found is not strong enough to ensure that the results really come from the effect of the test, not just coincidence.
According to a report by The Guardian, quoted on Saturday, May 30, this trial involved 142,942 people aged 50-77 years without symptoms of cancer in the NHS (National Health Service) program, the UK’s national health service.
The study assessed whether the Galleri test, if added to standard screening, could help find cancer earlier so that the chances of treatment are greater.
The results of the study were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology or ASCO in Chicago, one of the largest cancer forums in the world.
Dr Julie Gralow from ASCO said the study results did show some encouraging signs. However, the trial did not achieve its main objective, which was to reduce the number of advanced cancers.
A senior cancer figure who spoke anonymously to The Guardian called the results more straightforward. “The trial failed. It’s clear and simple,” he said.
In the study, all participants had blood drawn once a year for three years and continued to receive recommended cancer screening. Half of the participants had their blood tested using Galleri, while the other half were a control group.
Participants who received positive results from Galleri then underwent follow-up examinations by doctors. Examinations were also carried out on participants from both groups who later experienced cancer symptoms.
The main goal of the study was to see if Galleri could reduce the diagnosis of stage three and four cancers in 12 specific cancers. Stage three and four mean that the cancer is further along and generally more difficult to treat.
But the results showed no significant reduction in advanced cancer cases among participants who used Galleri and those who did not.
The company that makes Galleri, Grail, still highlights other findings. According to the company, data specific to stage four cancer shows a 14 percent reduction, signaling that some of the most dangerous cancers may be found earlier.
“Galleri represents the potential for a major change in cancer detection,” said Grail Chief Scientist Harpal Kumar, former chief executive of Cancer Research UK.
However, a number of experts outside the study were more cautious. Prof. Richard Houlston from the Institute of Cancer Research, London, assessed that the study results were presented too positively compared to the overall results.
“The main goal of this study was to show an overall reduction in advanced cancer, and that target was not achieved,” said Houlston.
He said some additional findings were interesting, especially the possibility of a reduction in the most advanced cancers after repeated screening. However, the results are still uncertain and need to be read carefully.
According to Houlston, the failure to achieve the main target remains a core issue. Data on the death rate of new patients will be available in the next few years.
“Based on the results of this trial and previous smaller studies, there is not yet sufficient evidence to apply Galleri on a population scale,” he said.
Prof Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, said his team was still waiting for full data before making any further decisions about the future use of the test in the UK NHS.
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