A blood test that detects traces of cancer cells could save thousands of patients from grueling chemotherapy each year.
Researchers at a leading NHS hospital are studying whether it can be used to show whether surgery has removed bowel tumours.
They say half of patients with stage three colon cancer are cured by surgery alone and are unnecessarily overtreated with intravenous chemotherapy after their surgery.
About 1,600 colorectal cancer patients are being recruited for the UK study, which is being led by the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
The blood tests look for microscopic traces of cancer in the bloodstream, called circulating tumor DNA. Doctors hope that this special technology can save many cancer patients from unnecessary chemotherapy
The blood tests look for microscopic traces of cancer in the bloodstream, called circulating tumor DNA.
The presence of these marks, which are invisible on scans, indicate whether or not the patient has been cured by their surgery.
Dr. Naureen Starling, the study’s principal investigator, said the study’s outcome could have an impact on the way thousands of colorectal cancer patients are treated each year.
“Half of the patients with stage 3 colorectal cancer are cured with surgery alone, so we are overtreating a large proportion of patients,” she told the BBC.
The hope is that this special technology can spare many cancer patients unnecessary chemotherapy.
“It’s good for the patient, it’s good for healthcare, it’s good for cost savings within the NHS. It would be a win-win situation,” Dr Spreeus added.
The study, called TRACC, uses a test developed by the American company Guardant Health.
Samples are sent to their labs in California for analysis, and results come back within two weeks.
The study examines whether there is a difference in survival rates after three years between patients whose treatment is based on the blood test compared to standard chemotherapy.
Trials are also underway in the UK to monitor lung and breast cancer patients in a similar way.
Dr Starling said the potential for this new test in cancer treatment was “enormous”, not only in detecting residual disease after surgery, but also for early detection.
Ben Cooke (52), who runs a hair salon in Chelsea, London and also works as a stylist for fashion shoots, attends the process.
In early March last year, he noticed dark blood in his rear. He called NHS 111 and was sent to the emergency room.
He was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer, which was successfully treated with surgery.
The gold standard treatment is to receive intravenous chemotherapy afterwards to remove any remaining tumor cells and reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.
But the chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer, oxaliplatin, can cause painful tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, called peripheral neuropathy.
This nerve damage can be long-lasting, and Ben is worried it could affect his ability to do the work he loves.
He told the BBC: “I couldn’t handle it. I have to work, this is my therapy.”
His test showed he was cancer-free, so he avoided intravenous chemotherapy.
Instead, like everyone else in the study, he took an oral chemo pill twice a day.
It had minimal side effects and allowed him to continue working.
“The fact that I had no tingling in my hands was just an absolute blessing,” he added.
A study of 455 colorectal cancer patients presented at a major cancer conference last year found that using blood tests to guide treatment could halve the number of patients requiring post-operative chemotherapy without the risk of recurrence.
But Dr Starling says her much larger randomized study is essential to calibrate exactly how much confidence can be placed in liquid biopsies.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
