Blood test reveals best treatment for lung cancer

Thousands of patients in England with suspected lung cancer are being offered a blood test which can show if they can receive early access to targeted therapies.

The test looks for genetic variations to aid decisions in treatment – some tumours can be treated with pills rather than standard chemotherapy, often meaning fewer side effects.

Patient blood tests from across England will be analysed in a laboratory at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, with the aim of turning around the results in 14 days.

Professor Sanjay Popat, consultant clinical oncologist at the Marsden, says the use of the blood test is a “superb idea” and means patients have faster access to the right treatment for their cancer.

He said brigatinib is one of eight targeted treatments for non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for at least 80 per cent of lung cancer cases. All these drugs are in tablet form, which can be taken at home by patients.

“These tablets are highly effective and their side-effect profile is very good.  By contrast, chemotherapy is tough – it makes people tired, and can cause nausea and hair loss.”

He added that the longer term outlook for patients is improving.

“In the pre-targeted drugs era, patients with widespread non-small cell lung cancer had an average survival of around a year or even less. We are now seeing survival measured in years.”

Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, said “The NHS has shown it can lead the way on innovation in cancer diagnosis and treatment, and this pilot is another example of our commitment to getting patients cutting-edge treatments and therapies to improve outcomes, giving people facing lung cancer more precious time with loved ones.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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