A new genetic test developed by scientists at the University of Nottingham can diagnose brain tumors in two hours, drastically reducing wait times from 6-8 weeks. This innovation promises to enhance patient care and treatment outcomes.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham and clinicians at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) have pioneered an ultra-rapid genetic testing method that can diagnose brain tumors in just two hours. Detailed in a paper published on May 21 in the journal Neuro-Oncology, this innovative procedure could revolutionize patient care for the 12,000 people diagnosed annually in the UK.
This new approach was successfully applied during 50 brain tumor surgeries, achieving a 100% success rate in providing diagnostic results in under two hours.
The platform also offers real-time tumor classification within minutes of sequencing, with fully integrated diagnoses available within 24 hours. This advancement presents a significant reduction from the traditional 6-8 week wait time, which is often a period of high anxiety and delays in treatment initiation for patients.
Stuart Smith, a neurosurgeon from the University of Nottingham and NUH, highlighted the profound impact this rapid testing could have.
“Traditionally, the process of diagnosing brain tumors has been slow and expensive. Now, with this new technology, we can do more for patients because we can get answers so much more quickly, which will have a much bigger influence on clinical decision making, in as little as two hours,” he said in a news release.
Currently, diagnosing brain tumors involves sending samples to central labs for complex genetic tests, a process that is not only time-consuming but delays the start of potentially life-saving treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
This new method employs advanced sequencing technologies, specifically developed by Matt Loose, a professor of developmental and computational biology in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham, using Oxford Nanopore Technologies, which allows for for quicker and more detailed analysis of DNA from tumor samples.
“When we first were able to sequence an entire human genome in 2018, it took around five labs and six months to do, which obviously isn’t ideal when time is of the essence for a patient,” Loose added. “This new method now allows us to choose the bits of DNA that we need to look at in order to answer specific questions, such as what type of tumor and how it can be treated.”
The practical implications of this breakthrough are immense. During brain tumor surgeries, surgeons can now receive detailed diagnostic information in real time, potentially altering surgical strategies on the spot. This level of immediacy and precision could greatly improve patient outcomes and streamline the pathway from diagnosis to treatment.
“This new method of diagnosing brain tumors is going to be a game changer, it really is revolutionary. It not only increases the speed at which the results will be available, but the degree of accuracy of the diagnosis as well is incredible,” added Simon Paine, a consultant neuropathologist at NUH.
The economic impact of this method is also noteworthy. Not only is the test faster and more accurate, but it is also cost-effective, estimated at around £450 per person. This is due to the ability to eliminate the need for multiple separate tests, thus reducing overall costs.
“The delivery of an accurate diagnosis within hours of surgery will be transformative for all patients ensuring rapid access to the optimal standard of care and — crucially — removing the uncertainty patients face when having to wait weeks for their diagnosis and prognosis,” added Simon Newman, the chief scientific officer at The Brain Tumour Charity.
Patient Charles Trigg, diagnosed with an aggressive stage 4 glioblastoma, experienced firsthand the benefits of this rapid testing.
“The fact they’ve been able to get back data very quickly that allows an extensive team of people to conduct detailed reviews feels like an amazing blend of science and medicine,” Trigg said in the news release. “[T]o have that understanding and that knowledge, it certainly helps and makes the experience a lot, lot easier, than not knowing.”
With such promising results, efforts are now underway to roll out this testing across NHS Trusts throughout the UK, potentially setting a new standard for brain tumor diagnosis and treatment worldwide.
Source: University of Nottingham