An innovative bowel cancer screening test created in the north east is now being rolled out for patients elsewhere in the country.
The test allows improved and faster testing for Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition which brings increased risk of certain types of cancer, including colorectal.
Designed by a team of scientists from Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle University led by Professor of Clinical Genetics, Sir John Burn, the test is being made available for patients across west Yorkshire and the Humber, and Bristol in the south west. This follows the north east and north Cumbria where the test has been used since 2022.
Screening for Lynch syndrome means that if a person tests positive, a DNA test can then be offered to their relatives to see who else has the condition, so they can be put on a regular programme of checks.
The test - known as the MSI plus assay - detects a pattern of chemical changes on DNA which can indicate the condition. It is the first product of Newcastle Hospitals to be UKCA-marked, meaning it is certified to be sold in the UK. Last year the team won an award from Cancer Research Horizons, the innovation arm of Cancer Research UK, in recognition of their impact in transforming diagnosis for patients.
Alessia Errico, Associate Director of Search and Evaluation at Cancer Research Horizons, said of the award: “We named the MSI plus assay as our Translational Project of the Year because it exemplifies the kind of innovation that can truly transform patient care. The Newcastle team's work is a model for how research and clinical practice can come together to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.”
Meeting recommendations by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the test is being used by scientists in some of NHS England’s genomics laboratory hubs across the country.
Dr Ciaron McAnulty, clinical scientist at Newcastle Hospitals, said: “The test has significantly improved how we identify people at risk of Lynch syndrome, with faster screening enabling more patients to be diagnosed in a shorter time frame, resulting in better monitoring of those at higher risk of developing cancer. We have successfully translated this ‘exemplar’ test from its beginnings in a research lab, through to the front line of care for patients. This is a testament to the close collaboration between scientists and researchers working together.”