A groundbreaking study is set to evaluate a novel breath test for pancreatic cancer, a disease known for its difficulty in early detection. Funded by Pancreatic Cancer UK, this trial has been described as a significant advancement in the quest for life-saving diagnostic tools in the past five decades.
Pancreatic cancer often presents with nonspecific symptoms such as back pain and indigestion, leading to late-stage diagnoses when the cancer has already spread. Recent audits indicate alarming statistics, with 62% of pancreatic cancer patients in England and 65% in Wales diagnosed at stage four. Survival rates are particularly troubling, with approximately 22% of those diagnosed in England not surviving beyond 30 days, compared to 21% in Wales.
The research team at Imperial College London aims to change this narrative through the implementation of the breath test. The trial will involve 6,000 patients with undiagnosed conditions across 40 locations in England, Wales, and Scotland. If successful, the test could be integrated into general practitioner offices within five years, enabling earlier diagnosis when treatment is likely to be more effective.
This extensive trial builds on a smaller study involving 700 patients over two years, which yielded promising results. The breath test analyzes various volatile organic compounds found in a person”s breath. These compounds circulate in the bloodstream and are expelled through breathing, revealing changes indicative of pancreatic cancer even in its initial stages. By identifying specific combinations of these compounds, the test can determine the presence of the disease, with results available to general practitioners within three days.
Currently, patients suspected of having pancreatic cancer are often referred for imaging or further hospital investigations. Diana Jupp, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK, emphasized the potential of this breath test to revolutionize early detection. She stated, “It is, undoubtedly, the most significant step toward a lifesaving breakthrough in 50 years.” Jupp notes that while further development is necessary before widespread implementation, the trial offers hope for thousands of patients with undiagnosed conditions.
Professor George Hanna, who leads the project at Imperial College London, expressed optimism about the study”s findings. He remarked that validating the breath test”s efficacy in patients with unknown diagnoses could significantly impact clinical practices and referral pathways for pancreatic cancer. The newly announced funding allows for swift progress toward this validation phase, marking an exciting advancement in the study.
