Blood Test Shows 96% Accuracy in Detecting Glioblastoma, Offering Hope for Earlier Diagnosis
核心洞察
Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a blood test using two protein markers that can detect glioblastoma (搜索) with over 96% accuracy, potentially revolutionizing early diagnosis.
The test identifies coagulation factor IX (F9) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (搜索) (COMP) in blood samples, providing a stable and robust signal despite tumor genetic diversity.
Clinical trials are now underway at six UK sites and four international locations, with hopes of developing a simple diagnostic device similar to a COVID test.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have achieved a significant breakthrough in brain cancer (搜索) detection, developing a blood test that can identify glioblastoma (搜索) with over 96% accuracy. The study, published in Neuro-Oncology Advances, represents a major advance toward earlier diagnosis of the most aggressive form of adult brain cancer.
The research team, led by Professor Petra Hamerlik, The Brain Tumour Charity (搜索) Chair of Translational Neuro-oncology, identified two key proteins in blood samples that form a powerful diagnostic signature. Coagulation factor IX (F9) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (搜索) (COMP) together distinguish patients with glioblastoma (搜索) from healthy individuals with more than 90% accuracy.
Revolutionary Diagnostic Approach
Current glioblastoma (搜索) diagnosis relies heavily on MRI scans and invasive surgical biopsies, procedures that cannot be repeated frequently and may miss early disease changes. The new blood-based method offers a non-invasive alternative that could transform patient care.
"The lack of reliable tests has been a major barrier to earlier diagnosis and treatment response monitoring," Professor Hamerlik explained. "What is remarkable about our findings is that, despite these tumours being very different in genetic make-up, and constantly evolving, the signal in the blood is stable, robust and highly informative."
The research team collected blood samples from patients during surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, observing that the protein markers showed dynamic changes reflecting treatment response and disease progression. This capability could enable real-time monitoring of how patients respond to therapy.
Clinical Implementation and Future Prospects
A clinical trial is currently running at six sites in the UK and four international locations to validate the findings. Professor Hamerlik envisions developing a simple diagnostic device similar to a COVID test that could be used in primary care settings.
"The idea with our work is that, if you come more than once with a headache, such as three times, and if the doctor suspects a brain tumour, they would run this test," she said. "The risk score would indicate that you might have a malignant growth in your brain, and you should go for MRI."
The research team aims to submit the test to regulatory bodies and hopes to bring it into the NHS within a decade. The test is also being expanded to include other types of brain tumour beyond glioblastoma (搜索).
Addressing Critical Medical Need
Glioblastoma (搜索) represents the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer (搜索) in adults, often diagnosed late due to its rapid progression and complex makeup. The tumors almost always recur even after intensive treatment, making early detection and continuous monitoring crucial for patient outcomes.
Dr. Simon Newman, chief scientific officer at the Brain Tumour Charity (搜索), described the research as "a significant step towards a simple blood test" that could help clinicians detect glioblastoma (搜索) more effectively.
Professor Hamerlik, whose own father had glioblastoma (搜索), emphasized the personal and clinical significance of the work: "We hope that, once validated, this simple blood test may pave the way for earlier diagnosis and more precise monitoring of patients during and after therapy."
The research was funded by The Brain Tumour Charity (搜索), the Danish Cancer Society, and the NovoNordisk Foundation (搜索) in Denmark. Professor Hamerlik is also exploring the potential of tear fluid to detect brain tumours, with a large NHS-approved validation study currently underway.