In a groundbreaking development, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has become the first health system globally to introduce a ‘liquid biopsy-first’ approach to diagnosing lung cancer. This innovative blood test, which identifies fragments of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), allows patients to begin targeted treatments up to two weeks earlier than through traditional tissue biopsies. The move follows a successful pilot program co-led by Professor Alastair Greystoke and could benefit up to 15,000 suspected lung cancer patients annually.
The test, now available across NHS hospitals in England, helps fast-track decisions on personalized treatment while reducing the need for invasive diagnostic procedures. Unlike conventional biopsies, which require tissue samples from the tumour, this minimally invasive blood test detects genetic variations linked to cancer, accelerating access to precise therapies. So far, more than 1,600 patients with suspected lung cancer and around 600 with advanced breast cancer have received the test since April.
Faster, More Precise, and Cost-Effective
Pilot data revealed the new testing method delivers crucial results an average of 16 days earlier than traditional biopsy techniques, enabling faster treatment initiation. This approach has proved particularly beneficial for patients with non-small cell lung cancer treatment the most common form of lung cancer, with around 10,000 individuals already benefiting from the new system. The pilot program spanned 176 hospitals nationwide and demonstrated that liquid biopsies not only reduced waiting times but also improved quality of life by helping patients avoid unnecessary treatments like chemotherapy and its side effects.
From a financial perspective, an independent health economic evaluation suggested that widespread adoption of this method could save the NHS up to £11 million per year in lung cancer care. Encouraged by its success, the NHS is now considering expanding the use of liquid biopsy testing to other types of cancer, including pancreatic and gallbladder cancers.
A New Era of Personalized Cancer Care
Experts are hailing the roll-out as a transformative step in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, described the initiative as ushering in a “new era of personalised cancer care.” He emphasized how the test enables doctors to deliver more accurate and less aggressive treatments, significantly improving patient outcomes.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting also praised the initiative, calling it “incredibly exciting” and a testament to the UK’s leadership in medical innovation. “This is just the latest example of combining compassionate NHS care with British scientific excellence to revolutionize cancer treatment,” he said.
Professor Greystoke noted the significance of the move, highlighting it as the first national implementation of a ‘liquid biopsy-first’ lung cancer treatment diagnosis model. The successful pilot not only accelerated treatment timelines but also laid the foundation for future applications across various cancer types.
As the NHS continues its Plan for Change, incorporating advanced diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies, the expansion of liquid biopsies marks a major milestone in the modernization of cancer care in the UK.
