UK’s Precision Medicine Program Uses Blood Tests to Advance Childhood Cancer Treatments

A groundbreaking study in the UK’s Stratified Medicine Paediatrics (SMPaeds1) program is making strides in precision medicine for children with cancer. The initiative, led by researchers from The Institute of Cancer Research, London, focuses on using blood-based genetic testing to identify mutations in childhood cancers. The first phase of the project, completed in October 2023, analyzed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)—DNA released by cancer cells into the bloodstream—as a tool for tracking tumor progression and identifying treatment targets.

“The study demonstrated that ctDNA analysis could detect additional mutations missed by traditional tissue biopsies,” said Dr. Sally George, Group Leader at The Institute of Cancer Research. This is the largest study of its kind to match ctDNA with tissue sequencing, providing valuable insights into how tumors evolve from diagnosis to relapse. Researchers found that certain mutations become enriched at relapse, providing new avenues for targeted treatments.

The SMPaeds program aims to make ctDNA testing clinically available, offering a less invasive way to monitor tumors and potentially improve outcomes for pediatric cancer patients. The second phase, SMPaeds2, is now underway and will expand the research to include blood cancers and solid tumors in difficult-to-access areas like the brain, muscle, and bone.

Funding from Children with Cancer UK and Cancer Research UK supports these efforts, which aim to improve survival rates and quality of life for young cancer patients. Dr. Laura Danielson from Cancer Research UK emphasized the potential of ctDNA to offer a more complete picture of tumor behavior and guide more targeted therapies, paving the way for personalized treatments that could transform care for children with cancer.

Note: This news summary was generated by AI based on a published press release, followed by a review from human editors.