Researchers explore new approaches to early cancer detection

Researchers from across Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre gathered at a workshop to learn more about how to detect cancer sooner.

The workshop was an opportunity to showcase the AHSC research programmes in cancer diagnostics. It covered the barriers that can impact progress, such as low screening uptake among people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, as well as real-world challenges of improving cancer care in West London from the perspective of RM Partners – one of 20 cancer alliances set up by NHS England to lead on the delivery of the cancer care recommendations in the NHS Long Term Plan – and how academic colleagues might help.

More than 70 people gathered at the workshop to understand local and national NHS early cancer detection and diagnosis priorities. They explored how the AHSC might be able to support and facilitate the effective uptake of new tests and screening programmes.

Patient representatives who work with researchers at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust shared their insights and experiences of NHS cancer services and being involved in research.

In a video played at the event, patients shared their own cancer diagnosis experiences, how cultural issues and language barriers may prevent people from minority ethnic backgrounds from attending screening appointments and why their voices need to be reflected in cancer research.

Cancer screening challenges

We convened this workshop to harness the skills, knowledge and expertise of our researchers across different scientific disciplines so we can develop and evaluate new tools and approaches for diagnosing cancer, which get into practice as rapidly as possible Professor Mark Thursz Director of Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre

Vernon Bailey, patient representative at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and The Royal Marsden, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015. He said:

"We need to be more involved in clinical trials and cancer research study groups. I accept there is a lot of inequalities in healthcare but to change that we need to be part of the process.”

The event was chaired by Professor Mark Thursz, Director of Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre, he said:

“Early detection of cancer is an important focus for the AHSC. We know that if we detect cancer early it can significantly improve the chances of successful treatments and long-term survival.

“We convened this workshop to harness the skills, knowledge and expertise of our researchers across different scientific disciplines so we can develop and evaluate new tools and approaches for diagnosing cancer, which get into practice as rapidly as possible.

“It was particularly impactful to hear the views from our patient representatives, and I want to thank them for their insights. They remind us why we do this vital work.”

Delegates heard from researchers on their experiences and learnings of the journey from discovery science into impactful cancer diagnostics such as  whole-body MRI scans for early diagnosis of multiple myeloma – blood cancer that originates in the bone – led by Professor Christina Messiou, Consultant Radiologist at The Royal Marsden and Professor of Imaging for Personalised Oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, a breath test to detect gastrointestinal cancers such as pancreatic cancer developed by Professor George Hanna, Head of the Department of Surgery & Cancer at Imperial College London.  They also heard from Professor Amanda Cross, Professor of Cancer Epidemiology in the Department of Surgery & Cancer, on work to refine bowel cancer surveillance practices.

Early detection studies

Delegates had the opportunity to hear some of the AHSC’s nationally leading screening and early detection studies in several cancers.

They included Professor Rakeesh Heer, Chair in Urology in the Department of Surgery & Cancer at Imperial College London and Consultant Urologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, who spoke about a prostate cancer study he is co-leading called TRANSFORM.

The £42 million study is the biggest prostate cancer screening trial in 20 years and will test the most promising prostate cancer screening techniques available – including a saliva test to assess genetic risk of the disease – to identify the safest, most accurate and most cost-effective way to screen men.

They also heard from Professor Rosalind Eeles, Professor of Oncogenetics at the ICR and Honorary Consultant in Clinical Oncology and Oncogenetics at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust , also an investigator on the TRANSFORM trial, who outlined her work on screening for inherited prostate cancers.

It is estimated that just over half of  prostate cancers have a genetic component and her team  has found just over half of the genetic variation which accounts for this. Many of these variants are associated with more aggressive disease. 

Professor Eeles is leading the BARCODE 1 study to explore how Common genetic variants can be used to stratify risk in populations and find more prostate cancer cases using targeted screening.

Professor Naureen Starling, Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden and an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer within the Division of Clinical Studies at the ICR, presented her work on using liquid biopsies to transform the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic and bile duct cancers - a type of cancer that forms in the bile ducts, such as the gallbladder.

Patients with these cancers account for one third of global cancer-related deaths. These are some of the least survivable cancers as they are often diagnosed at a later stage. Current tests are complex, invasive and often inconclusive.

Liquid biopsies are simple blood tests that can detect tiny fragments of cancer in the blood (ctDNA) with results within days.

The project aims to develop the evidence to support routine NHS use of blood tests for pancreatic and bile duct cancers

Dr Richard Lee, Consultant Physician in Respiratory Medicine and Champion for Early Cancer Diagnosis at The Royal Marsden and Group Leader in the Division of Genetics and Epidemiology at the ICR, talked about his work on using AI tools for detecting lung cancer.

Dr Lee worked with a team of researchers at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, The Institute of Cancer Research and Imperial College London, and developed an AI tool that can identify whether abnormal growths found on CT scans are cancerous.

Researchers hope this technology will speed up diagnosis of lung cancer and lead to more effective screening by identifying high-risk patients.

Delegates also heard presentations by Dr Maria Paraskevaidi, Research Fellow in the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, on new techniques to detect and treat cervical cancer and Professor Brendan Delaney, Chair in Medical Informatics and Decision Making in the Department of Surgery & Cancer, on using AI for early diagnosis of cancer in primary care.

Unmet needs

Delegates also participated in breakout groups to discuss how the AHSC could address unmet NHS needs in cancer detection and diagnosis, accelerate the process of diagnostics and support the uptake of new tests.

Some of the suggestions included greater collaboration with industry partners on uptake of testing and rolling out of new innovations, developing a stronger and more proactive approach to reaching hard-to engage groups at scale and improving signposting of the AHSC’s strengths in convergence science across disciplines from engineering to AI, robotics and expertise in Imperial Business School.

Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC) is a strategic partnership between Imperial College London, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, London. It aims to turn scientific discovery into life-changing healthcare solutions.