A DNA double helix is seen in an undated artist鈥檚 illustration released by the National Human Genome Research Institute to Reuters on May 15, 2012. REUTERS/National Human Genome Research Institute/Handout
LONDON 鈥� Britain鈥檚 state-run will on Monday begin the world鈥檚 biggest trial of Grail Inc鈥檚 flagship Galleri blood test that can be used to detect more than 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear.
The Galleri test looks at the DNA in a patient鈥檚 blood to determine if any come from cancer cells. Earlier diagnosis of cancers leads to dramatically increased survival rates.
The NHS said it wanted to recruit 140,000 volunteers in England to see how well the test worked as part of a randomized control trial. Half of the participants will have their blood sample screened with the Galleri test right away.
鈥淲e need to study the Galleri test carefully to find out whether it can significantly reduce the number of cancers diagnosed at a late stage,鈥� said Peter Sasieni, professor of cancer prevention at King鈥檚 College London.
鈥淭he test could be a game changer for early cancer detection and we are excited to be leading this important research.鈥�
Lung cancer is by far the most common cause of cancer death in the United Kingdom, accounting for around a fifth of all cancer deaths. Lung, bowel, prostate and breast cancers account for 45% of the United Kingdom鈥檚 cancer deaths, the NHS said.
U.S. life sciences company Illumina Inc said last month it had completed its $7.1 billion acquisition of Grail. Illumina said it will operate Grail separately from its existing business.