Early Cancer Detection with Galleri Blood Test: Promising Results from NHS-Galleri Trial
Annual screening with a blood test that aims to detect various cancers before symptoms manifest has shown promise for implementation on the NHS, according to experts. The NHS-Galleri trial is investigating the effectiveness of the Galleri blood test in the health service to identify cancer cases at an earlier stage. While the test did not meet its primary goal of significantly reducing later-stage cancers, it still presents hope for cancers like ovarian and pancreatic that lack screening options. The Galleri test detects cancer cell DNA in the blood, providing early indications of the disease.
The NHS-Galleri trial involved 142,942 individuals in the UK aged 50 to 77 without cancer symptoms. Participants underwent annual blood tests for three years, with half of them receiving Galleri testing. The trial results, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (Asco) meeting, revealed a reduction in advanced cancer diagnoses by over 20% in the second and third years of screening when the Galleri test was used alongside existing NHS screening programs. The test also led to fewer late-stage cancer diagnoses and more early-stage detections.
The trial focused on 12 specific cancer types that account for a significant portion of cancer-related deaths in England. Many of these cancer types do not have established screening programs and are often diagnosed late. The Galleri test showed promising results in detecting cancers earlier and reducing emergency diagnoses. Professor Charles Swanton, the lead study author, emphasized the significance of the trial in demonstrating the feasibility of annual multi-cancer early detection testing within a national health system.
While the Galleri-NHS study did not meet its primary endpoint of statistically reducing late-stage cancers, it still provides hope for cancers like ovarian and pancreatic that lack effective screening methods. Further research, including longer-term follow-up and the Reach study in the US, will offer additional insights into the benefits and risks of early detection blood tests. The results of the trial highlight the potential of the Galleri test in improving cancer detection and outcomes, especially for cancers with limited screening options.