New revolutionary test trial aims to detect 10 cancers at earliest stage

Southampton: A groundbreaking clinical trial is underway in the UK to assess a novel blood test that could detect up to 10 different types of cancer in their earliest stages, potentially transforming early diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

The modernised trial is developed by Proteotype Diagnostics in partnership with the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (SCTU). Unlike most current research focusing on cancer DNA, this test looks for specific proteins in the blood that indicate an immune response to early cancer development.

Professor Andy Davies, Director of the Southampton Cancer Research UK and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, explained, "Most current research into multi-cancer blood tests is focussed on detecting abnormal DNA that has been released into the blood stream by cancer cells.”

"But this circulating tumour DNA cannot always be detected in the very early stages of cancer," he added. “We are instead looking at levels of certain proteins found in blood. We know that even in the earliest stages of cancer, the body’s immune response can lead to higher levels of these proteins being released, and we believe these may be a good way to test for early signs of the disease.”

The trial aims to recruit 1,000 patients, with over 450 already participating across five hospital sites in Hampshire and Dorset. Expansion to Manchester is expected soon. The study will include patients with solid tumours such as bladder, breast, lung, prostate, ovarian, pancreatic, oesophageal, renal, colorectal cancers, and melanoma.

Ian Robinson, 72, from Fawley, is among the participants. Diagnosed with bowel cancer through routine NHS screening, he had no prior symptoms. "You would never know until it was much more advanced and harder to treat," Robinson said. "My mother died from cancer. I now have children and grandchildren—this research is vital for them and future generations."

Dr Victoria Goss, Associate Professor and Head of Early Diagnosis Research at SCTU, emphasised the urgency: "Currently, the UK only has four cancer screening programmes, each targeting one cancer. We need broader, more efficient diagnostics. Earlier detection opens the door to more treatment options and better survival rates."

The Enlighten test is still in early evaluation, but preliminary studies show high accuracy in detecting early-stage cancers. The trial also includes control groups of patients with similar symptoms who do not have cancer and healthy volunteers.

Funded by the NIHR and the Office for Life Sciences, the MODERNISED trial reflects the UK's growing investment in research-driven healthcare innovation.

Dr Emma Yates, co-founder of Proteotype Diagnostics, noted, "If successful, this test could represent a major step forward in catching cancers before they become life-threatening."