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Cancer Blood Test Fails Key Trial Goal
30 May
Summary
- Blood test for over 50 cancers missed primary objective in UK trial.
- Study of 142,000 NHS patients did not reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses.
- Experts express skepticism, noting primary endpoint failure despite some encouraging secondary data.
Results presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting in Chicago revealed that the Galleri blood test did not achieve its main objective in a major clinical trial. The study, which involved 142,000 NHS patients in the UK, aimed to determine if adding the Galleri test to standard screening could shift cancer diagnoses to earlier, more treatable stages.
The trial's primary endpoint was to reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses. However, data presented showed this objective was not met. The study did not find a statistically significant reduction in advanced cancers (stages three to four) among those who received the Galleri test compared to a control group.
Despite the failure to meet the primary endpoint, Grail, the company behind the Galleri test, highlighted other findings. Data suggested a 14% reduction in stage four cancers alone, indicating potential for earlier detection of the most deadly forms. However, experts not involved in the trial expressed skepticism, emphasizing that the main goal was not achieved and urging caution in interpreting secondary results.
