A pioneering study is set to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative breath test designed for pancreatic cancer, a disease known for its difficulty in early detection. Funded by Pancreatic Cancer UK, the trial has been described as “the most significant step toward a lifesaving breakthrough in 50 years.”
The subtle and often vague symptoms of pancreatic cancer, such as back pain and indigestion, frequently result in late-stage diagnoses. A recent audit highlighted that a staggering 62% of patients in England and 65% in Wales are diagnosed at stage four, severely impacting survival rates. In England, around 22% of patients do not survive for more than 30 days post-diagnosis, compared to 21% in Wales.
Scientists at Imperial College London are optimistic that the new breath test can change this grim reality. The trial will involve 6,000 patients with undiagnosed conditions across 40 sites in England, Wales, and Scotland. Should the test prove effective, it could be implemented in general practice within five years, allowing for earlier diagnoses when treatment options might be more viable.
This large-scale trial builds on a smaller two-year study involving 700 patients, which yielded promising results. The breath test operates by detecting specific combinations of “volatile organic compounds” that are present in the breath. These compounds travel through the bloodstream, are filtered by the lungs, and are then expelled when a person breathes out. Notably, these markers can indicate the presence of cancer even in its earliest stages.
Results from the breath test would be available to general practitioners in just three days, representing a significant acceleration in the diagnostic process. Currently, patients suspected of having pancreatic cancer typically undergo scans or are referred to hospitals for further assessments.
Diana Jupp, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK, emphasized the transformative potential of this breath test: “It is, undoubtedly, the most significant step toward a lifesaving breakthrough in 50 years.” She noted that while further development is necessary before the technology can be deployed widely, the study will provide real-world data to refine the test.
Professor George Hanna, who leads the project at Imperial College London, expressed enthusiasm for the next phase of research. “If our findings from the initial phase of the breath test study can be validated in a population of patients with an unknown diagnosis, it has huge potential to influence clinical practice and pancreatic cancer referral pathways,” he stated. The funding announced will facilitate this vital patient validation study, marking an exciting advancement in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
