Surgeons and scientists have made a significant advance in the fight against brain cancer, revealing a world-first blood test that might change the landscape of brain tumor diagnosis. Brain tumors, which are notoriously difficult to detect, impact hundreds of thousands of people worldwide each year, killing more children and adults under 40 in the United Kingdom than any other malignancy.

The game changer: TriNetra-Glio blood test

The innovative TriNetra-Glio blood test, created by experts at Imperial College London’s Brain Tumor Research Centre of Excellence and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, has the potential to revolutionize brain cancer diagnostics. This non-invasive and cost-effective liquid biopsy has demonstrated high analytical sensitivity, specificity, and precision in reliably detecting a variety of brain tumors, including the often diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM), astrocytomas, and oligodendrogliomas.

A glimmer of hope for “inaccessible” tumors

One of the most exciting parts of this innovation is its ability to detect “inaccessible” brain tumors, allowing patients to begin therapy as soon as feasible. The potential to skip invasive and high-risk surgical biopsies could be a game changer for those who have limitations due to the tumor’s location or other reasons.

How TriNetra-Glio works

Datar Cancer Genetics funded the development of the TriNetra-Glio blood test, which targets glial cells that have broken free from the tumor and are circulating in the bloodstream. By extracting and labeling these cells, the test provides a safe and patient-friendly means of early detection. Dr. Nelofer Syed, director of the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, highlights the importance of this non-invasive treatment, saying, “There is still some way to go, but this solution could help people where a brain biopsy or surgical resection of the tumor is not possible.”

A diagnostic liquid biopsy: redefining the paradigm

Kevin O’Neill, consultant neurosurgeon at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, describes the TriNetra-Glio test as a “truly diagnostic liquid biopsy,” highlighting its ability to deliver specific cellular information comparable to traditional tissue samples. This innovation is more than just a sign of sickness; it might become a critical tool for personalizing medicines based on precise biopsy analysis.

Path to implementation: future studies and timelines

While the TriNetra-Glio blood test has shown exceptional promise, additional research is planned to validate its findings. If successful, patients could benefit from this groundbreaking test in as little as two years. Dan Knowles, CEO of Brain Tumour Research, sees this research as a big step forward in the fight against brain tumors.

The gloomy results underline the need to find remedies for brain tumors. Less than one percent of individuals with glioblastoma (GBM) live for more than ten years, and many have a prognosis of only 12 months. Knowles emphasizes the importance of new treatments, particularly in GBM treatment, and advocates for increasing government and charitable funding. “Brain tumors kill more people in the UK under the age of 40 than any other cancer,” he says, calling for a concerted effort to drive development.

Knowles is concerned about the lack of advancement in treatment choices for GBM over the last two decades. The standard of care—surgical excision followed by radiation and chemotherapy—is unchanged. The call to action continues, with Brain Tumour Research advocating for additional funding to bring about the long-overdue advances needed to tackle this dreadful disease.

The TriNetra-Glio blood test appears as a beacon of hope in the fight against brain cancer, with the possibility for earlier detection, individualized therapy, and higher survival rates. As research and validation studies develop, the medical world anticipates a paradigm change that could save lives and open up new opportunities for patients dealing with brain tumors.

Source study: International Journal of Cancer— Profiling of circulating glial cells for accurate blood-based diagnosis of glial malignancies