Breakthrough in cancer detection to be tested on smokers

The test is being trialled in Scotland in the hope it could provide the first national screening programme for lung cancer as well as paving the way for better detection of other tumorous cancers such as breast, colon and prostate. A version of the test, developed at Nottingham University, to detect breast cancer early could be ready next year. It could revolutionise how cancer is diagnosed and mean treatment can start at a much earlier stage when the chances of success are best. The early CDT has been available in America for two years and has been shown in trials to be effective. It works by identifying antibodies in the blood produced by the immune system when lung cancer is present. An elevation above a predetermined level suggests a tumour is developing, according to makers of the test, Oncimmune. Tests based on antibodies have been available for a number of years but until now have not been sensitive enough to accurately detect cancer. Sir Harry Burns, The Chief Medical Officer for Scotland has announced that a major trial involving 10,000 heavy smokers has been launched to test the cost effectiveness of using CDT to screen for lung cancer. Sir Harry said: “The earlier a cancer is diagnosed the greater the chance it can be treated successfully, and currently 85 per cent of patients with lung cancer remain undiagnosed until the disease has reached an advanced stage. “This pilot project is part of our Detect Cancer Early programme, which aims to increase the early detection of cancer by 25 per cent. “By testing those at greatest risk of developing lung cancer, and diagnosing it at its earliest possible stage, we stand a better chance of being able to treat the cancer successfully. This means patients can be treated when their general health is better and when less aggressive treatment may be required than if the cancer had spread.” Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK and around 41,000 people are diagnosed each year. Professor John Robertson, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Oncimmune Ltd said: “After many years of developing and refining this autoantibody test I am very proud of what we have achieved. “We are working hard on bringing the next test for the early detection of breast cancer to the market within a year. We are also working on a number of similar tests for prostate, colon and ovarian cancer – a blood test to aid detection of all tumour cancers (70% of all cancer) is still the overriding objective of our work”.