New blood test-based clinical trial to help spot cancers earlier

A world-leading new trial is being launched across at least 200 GP practices in England aimed at providing earlier diagnosis for a range of the most common cancers.

More than 20,000 NHS patients will take part in a platform trial run by the University of Birmingham to assess whether simple blood tests can spot prostate, ovarian, bowel, pancreatic, stomach, liver, and other abdominal cancers. Funded by the Office for Life Sciences through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the trial will receive up to £8.49 million of government funding and will cover a broad range of inner-city, rural, seaside and deprived communities.

Participating patients aged 45 and over who visit their GP with abdominal symptoms – such as persistent bloating or discomfort – will be offered the chance to take part in the trial

The blood tests patients will receive through the trial, called STRIDE-RCT, will look for signs of several cancers in a single sample and suggest where in the body they come from. Most of the tests in the trial will ask patients to have one or two tubes of blood taken at their GP practice, alongside routine blood tests. The tests use a variety of the latest technologies – including artificial intelligence and measuring proteins in the blood.

The tests aim to detect early markers of cancer, before more severe symptoms develop, providing the potential to catch and treat major cancers before they can progress. Around 71,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic, stomach, liver, ovarian or bowel cancer in England each year, and there are almost 35,000 deaths from these cancers. This new trial gives the chance for clinicians to catch these conditions earlier, when treatment is more effective, potentially saving lives.

Professor Aneel Bhangu, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Director of the Surgical Data and Policy Lab at the University of Birmingham and Co-Chief Investigator, said: "Too many patients with cancer reach me after months of vague symptoms that were hard to pin down. At the same time, most people referred urgently do not have cancer, causing unnecessary worry and expense.

"These blood tests might help GPs tell the two apart, but we need to know for certain before they are used across the NHS, and this trial is designed to give that answer quickly."

Dr Anisha Patel, NHS GP, author, and bowel cancer survivor said: "As a GP and someone diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer at a young age, I know how much earlier diagnosis matters. The challenge in general practice is that cancer symptoms can be vague and overlap with many other conditions. Cancers such as pancreatic, ovarian, bowel and stomach cancer can sometimes be difficult to recognise early, and a later diagnosis can mean fewer treatment options and poorer outcomes.

"This trial offers real hope that blood tests could help us improve early diagnosis by identifying sooner who needs further investigation. Alongside this innovation, listening to patients, taking their concerns seriously, following up persistent symptoms and ensuring screening attendance must remain at the heart of our care."

World first trial

STRIDE-RCT is the first time a trial of this nature has been developed to assess a range of blood tests in primary care settings to improve outcomes.

The cancers covered by the trial will include bowel, small bowel, stomach, oesophageal, pancreatic, liver, bile duct and gallbladder, ovarian, endometrial, kidney, bladder and prostate cancer. 

The trial will assess how well the tests work alongside GPs' judgement before an assessment is made on rolling them out nationwide.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Yvette Cooper said: "The earlier cancers are diagnosed, the more chance they can be successfully treated, and lives can be saved. This world-first trial will establish whether simple blood tests can help GPs identify much sooner the patients who need urgent support.

"Innovations like these are a key part of our National Cancer Plan, which will provide faster diagnosis, more effective treatment, and better care for every patient, while also investing in the trials and technology that offer hope of curing cancer for good.”

Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, said: “Cancer affects all of us at some point in our lives, and millions of people up and down the country will know how it feels to face that awful uncertainty while they wait for a diagnosis. Finding cases early is key – giving patients a clear path to treatment and helping save lives.

“The UK is a world leader in medical science research, and this trial shows how important that leadership is in bringing forward breakthroughs that can make a real difference to people.”

STRIDE-RCT is the latest platform trial run by the University of Birmingham. Other large and complex platform trials include GLO-BNHL, an international paediatric cancer trial, and ROSSINI Platform which will see 26,000 surgery patients in the UK help make operations safer.