It is now possible to use blood samples to test for circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) without the need for invasive surgery and tissue biopsies.
This NHS Genomic Network of Excellence will support the implementation of circulating biomarker testing, to help reduce the number of patients who require tissue biopsy.
Testing will reduce waiting times for patients to receive the most appropriate treatment, building on and informed by existing circulating biomarker testing projects, for example in non-small cell lung cancer, as it looks to expand the innovative test into a range of other tumour types.
This NHS Genomic Network of Excellence will link with the Institute for Cancer Research, the Christie Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Kings Health Partners and a number of NIHR BRCs.
In this short video Dr Matthew Krebs provides answers to two key questions, relating to circulating tumour DNA, and the new Genomic Network of Excellence.
ctDNA resources for professionals and patients
- Patient video ctDNA project explained- this patient video has been jointly produced by the NHS North West and North Thames Genomic Medicine Services Alliances (GMSAs) co-created with PPIE and PPVP representatives from across England.
- Podcast series podcast – Genomics Now – has just gone live. Series 5 of podcasts developed by the NHS North Thames GMSA focuses on the ctDNA in lung cancer pilot.