A groundbreaking clinical trial evaluating a revolutionary blood test for the early detection of multiple cancers has achieved a significant milestone in the United Kingdom. The MODERNISED study (NIHR207538), a multi-site clinical investigation, recently announced that over 450 participants have joined its ambitious endeavor to assess the efficacy of ENLIGHTEN®, a novel diagnostic tool. This progress marks a pivotal moment in medical research aimed at transforming how cancers are identified.
Unlike many multi-cancer early detection research efforts that primarily focus on identifying circulating tumor-DNA fragments in blood, ENLIGHTEN® employs a unique approach. This cutting-edge blood test measures colored light signatures from proteins, which are molecules capable of changing even when cancers are too small to shed detectable DNA. This distinct methodology could potentially offer a broader window for cancer detection, especially in the initial stages of disease development.
The MODERNISED clinical trial is set to expand its recruitment to 1,000 newly diagnosed NHS cancer patients and 350 symptomatic and healthy volunteers. Participants are being enrolled across five prominent hospitals throughout the country, demonstrating a widespread collaborative effort. This extensive participation underscores the commitment to rigorous evaluation of this promising healthcare innovation and its potential to deliver widespread benefits.
Researchers at the University of Southampton, in partnership with Cancer Research UK and the NIHR Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, are leading this vital medical research. Experts emphasize that catching cancer sooner dramatically expands treatment choices and can significantly improve patient outcomes. The team’s overarching aim is to develop accessible tests that could flag multiple cancers in a single appointment, streamlining the early diagnosis process.
The rationale behind exploring protein signatures is compelling. While circulating tumor-DNA methods are powerful, chief investigators note that tumor-DNA may be undetectable in very early disease stages. By collaborating with Proteotype, the trial is meticulously testing whether protein signatures, which reflect the body’s immune response, can reveal the presence, and even the likely type, of cancer earlier than current DNA-based methods, pushing the boundaries of cancer detection.
Proteotype, a pioneering diagnostics company and key partner in this medical research, reports that initial suggestions indicate ENLIGHTEN® can accurately detect very early cancers. The MODERNISED trial will now critically assess this performance at scale, gathering comprehensive data to validate its potential as a transformative healthcare innovation. This large-scale evaluation is crucial for its eventual integration into clinical practice.
Patient stories powerfully underscore the urgent need for such advancements. One participant, a 72-year-old individual, joined the trial after an NHS bowel screening kit led to a colorectal cancer diagnosis despite experiencing no symptoms. Their participation highlights the hope that these clinical trials offer, aiming to pave the way for future generations to benefit from proactive and non-invasive early diagnosis tools.
Proteotype’s dedication to developing advanced multi-cancer early detection and personalized medicine tests, specifically measuring the host response to tumor development, drives this collaboration. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and comprehensive research, the company aims to revolutionize cancer detection and significantly improve early diagnosis, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and survival rates globally through continued healthcare innovation.
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