A new approach to early-stage cancer detection which monitors the body’s response to tumour development is to be the subject of a landmark study following a funding boost.
Proteotype Diagnostics, working with the University of Southampton, is to undertake a clinical validation study of its Enlighten multi-cancer early detection test after being awarded a £1.5m grant from the NIHR and the Office for Life Sciences (OLS).
While many cancer diagnostics rely on tumour-released signals, such as circulating tumour DNA, which is often only detectable once cancer has progressed, Enlighten measures the host response to tumour development; tracking changing levels of proteins that occur even in the earliest stages of cancer.
Initial results have been promising. Proteotype has reported a detection rate of 86 per cent across multiple cancers, with a zero per cent false-positive rate and strong signals for early-stage cancers.
The test now needs to be validated in a larger group of patients, enabling a statistically powered calculation of performance.
Dr. Emma Yates, co-founder and chief scientific officer, said: “When cancer is discovered earlier, patients have more treatment options and better outcomes. Enlighten is designed to disrupt, detecting cancer as early as the immune system, whilst remaining simple enough yet robust enough to fit existing care pathways and NHS needs.”
Enlighten will be trialled in real-world NHS settings with a specific focus on reaching higher-risk, underserved populations.
The MODERNISED clinical study, led by Professor Andrew Davies from the University of Southampton Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, will recruit 1,350 participants across southern England, targeting cancers with high mortality rates in socio-economically deprived areas, such as colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancers.
Wesley Sukdao, co-founder and CEO of Proteotype Diagnostics says: “Growing up in poverty in South Africa, I lost three of my closest family members to cancers detected too late, all before I turned fourteen. To meaningfully impact health inequalities, cutting-edge cancer diagnostics must be both affordable and accessible. My team and I are focused to deliver on this mission.”
Enlighten reportedly has “low data requirements” and enables results within 24-hours of sample measurement, making it well positioned for NHS-wide adoption, its creators say.
MODERNISED will be accompanied by a ‘health economic evaluation’ to ensure it delivers clinical benefit and meets NHS financial goals.
Its grant is part of a UK Government commitment of £22.5m to deliver the OLS Cancer Programme.
