Multi-cancer blood test fails to reduce late-stage diagnoses in major NHS trial
A blood test designed to detect more than 50 types of cancer failed to meet its primary objective in a major clinical trial involving 142,000 NHS patients, according to data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (Asco) annual meeting in Chicago. The trial aimed to assess whether adding the Galleri test to standard screening could shift diagnoses to earlier, more treatable stages by reducing the number of late-stage cancer diagnoses. Results showed no statistically significant reduction in advanced cancers (stages three and four) among those who received the Galleri test compared to the control group. The California-based company Grail highlighted secondary findings, including a 14% reduction in stage four cancers alone, but independent experts cautioned that the primary endpoint failure undermines the test’s overall value. An anonymous delegate described the trial as a “flop.” NHS England’s national clinical director for cancer said the health service looks forward to reviewing the data in detail.
What’s reported
The trial enrolled 142,942 people aged 50 to 77 with no cancer symptoms.
Participants had blood drawn once a year for three years and received standard screening.
Half had their blood analysed with the Galleri test; the other half served as controls.
The primary endpoint was a combined reduction of stage three and stage four cancer diagnoses.
The test did not achieve a statistically significant reduction in these late-stage cancers.
Grail reported a 14% reduction in stage four cancers alone, calling the test a “potential transformational shift.”
Experts not involved in the trial said the failure to meet the primary endpoint is the key issue.
Conflicting accounts
The article contrasts Grail’s positive interpretation of secondary findings with skepticism from independent experts. Prof Richard Houlston stated the researchers presented results “far more positively than the overall results justify,” while an anonymous delegate called the trial a “flop.”
Key figures
Dr Julie Gralow (chief medical officer and executive vice-president, Asco)
Harpal Kumar (chief scientific officer, Grail; former chief executive, Cancer Research UK)
Prof Richard Houlston (head of division of genetics and epidemiology, Institute of Cancer Research, London)
Prof Peter Johnson (national clinical director for cancer, NHS England)
Anonymous delegate (senior cancer figure)
Sources: The Guardian
