New Blood Test Could Predict Relapse Of Breast Cancer: UK Study

A study by London's Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) has found that a new type of blood test can spot signs of a breast cancer relapse years before it happens. According to the report, the test deemed as "ultra-sensitive" looks for cancerous cells remaining after treatment, detecting tiny amounts that may be too small for follow-up scans to pick up. While still in its early stages, the research was found to be 100% accurate at predicting which cancer survivors would see a relapse, the BBC reported.

Blood Test Can Detect Tiny Cancer Cells

The study, which researchers have called "incredibly exciting" could be a groundbreaker in the medical field, saving thousands of lives. According to the organisation Breast Cancer UK, breast cancer is the most common form of the disease worldwide, with 2.26 million women diagnosed in 2020 and 685,000 deaths in the same year.

For this study, the ICR conducted the trial on 78 patients with different types of early breast cancer, with the test searching for 1,800 mutations in their blood which are released by cancer cells. These circulating tumour DNA were found in 11 women, who all saw their cancer return, while no other woman saw a relapse.

The results were presented on June 2 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago. It showed that on average, the blood test detected cancer 15 months before symptoms appeared or the illness showed up on scans. The study showed that the earliest detection was reported at 41 months.

Dr Isaac Garcia-Murillas, the lead researcher said in the report, "Breast cancer cells can remain in the body after surgery and other treatments but there can be so few of these cells that they are undetectable on follow-up scans." However, they can cause patients to relapse many years after their initial treatment, he added.

The study tested blood samples at the point of diagnosis, then again following surgery and chemotherapy, and repeated the process every three months for the next year and every six months for the next five years. It has been seen as a foundation for better post-treatment monitoring and potentially life-extending treatment.

Researchers Dr Simon Vincent, director of research, support and influencing at Breast Cancer Now (which part-funded the study) said that catching breast cancer recurrence earlier means the treatment is much more likely to destroy the cancer and stop it from spreading to other parts of the body and becoming incurable.