Scientists have discovered a simple blood test to spot skin cancer returning and a new trial is underway, led by researchers at the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester.
Analysis by Cancer Research UK has shown that rates of melanoma have increased by almost a third over the past decade. For most people who are diagnosed with melanoma at an early stage, the cancer is successfully removed by surgery. But in a small percentage of patients the cancer will come back.
On the NHS, patients are currently offered a one-year preventative drug treatment aimed at reducing the risk of recurrence. But now, thanks to a new blood test developed by scientists at the Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre in Manchester, patients most at risk of a relapse can be identified early so that further treatment is only given to those who really need it.
The DETECTION-2 trial will see teams of researchers at the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester, examine the blood test to see if it can successfully spot small fragments of DNA shed by cancer cells – known as circulating tumour DNA, or ctDNA – before the cells show up on a scan.
The hope is that it could speed up diagnosis for people whose cancer has returned and prevent people whose melanoma is not coming back from having unnecessary treatment, protecting them from potential side effects.
"Cancer Research UK is dedicated to discovery science while ensuring our findings in the laboratory have patient benefit. This project is an important step towards ensuring that our understanding of cancer can provide more personalised treatment for people diagnosed with melanoma, while sustaining their quality of life," commented Dr. Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK
Melanoma patient Karen, 57, from Lancaster is one of 50 people to sign up to the DETECTION-2 clinical trial which sees patients receive one of the new ctDNA blood tests every three months on top of regular checks and scans.
The mum-of-two was at a routine appointment for her arthritic knee when her osteopath pointed out an irregular looking mole on her lower back. That mole was later confirmed to be melanoma. Further tests showed the cancer had also spread to her lymph nodes.
“I had no idea how serious melanoma was, and you do worry that you could die,” said Karen. "Having cancer has changed my outlook on life. You do worry it might come back, but it absolutely doesn’t define who I am. It’s made me prioritise my time and not take my health for granted anymore. My time is precious, and I value what is most important to me more than ever.”
Karen had surgery to remove the mole, an area of surrounding skin, and the affected lymph nodes before enrolling on the trial earlier this year at The Royal Preston Hospital – one of eight hospitals across the UK currently recruiting patients to test the effectiveness of the new blood test.
“The benefit for me is that I won’t need to go on medication that could make feel very ill if I don’t need it,” said Karen. “Also, I have that reassurance that, alongside the regular scans and checks, I will have these fantastic blood tests that show signs of the cancer coming back earlier than a scan. So, for me it’s hugely beneficial – both mentally and physically.”
Patients who decide to take part in the trial will be randomly assigned to one of two groups, half will receive the standard NHS care, and the other half will have regular ctDNA blood tests following surgery, like Karen. The results will be compared at the end of the study and if this first phase of the trial proves to be successful, it will be expanded to more hospital sites and more patients.
