The test works by sending small tissue samples taken from the tumour to the pathology lab.
The samples are prepared for loading into a shoebox-sized sequencing machine made by Oxford Nanopore, which uses specialist software developed at the University of Nottingham, in partnership with hospital clinicians. The molecules of DNA pass through a nanopore – a tiny hole – which reveals the tumour’s unique genomic fingerprint.
In Steve’s case, after the nanopore machine was running for 20 minutes, the neuropathology team called the theatre to tell them that the tumour was likely to be a glioblastoma.
Dr Simon Paine, consultant neuropathologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, explained that the genomic test was transformative in comparison to what he could determine by looking at tumour cells down a microscope.
“I’m crystal ball gazing and can do it reasonably well on a good day, but nowhere near with the clarity of the nanopore, which gives a comprehensive molecular classification,” he said.
More than 12,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour each year. It is the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40.
Prof Frankie Swords, NHS medical director, said: “For people with suspected brain tumours, getting the right diagnosis quickly can feel like a race against time, while waiting weeks for answers can be agonising for them and their families.
“This remarkable rapid test has the potential to completely transform how we diagnose brain tumours, with results reaching patients in a matter of days rather than weeks.
“This is a huge leap forward for patients – a faster diagnosis means they can start the right treatment or access clinical trials sooner, while for some patients it could mean surgeons can make potentially life-changing decisions about their surgery while on the operating table.”
The NHS England pilot will involve five specialist centres in Nottingham, Birmingham, London and Newcastle – they are Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
It will later be extended to sites in Bristol, Oxford, Leeds and Manchester.
The pilot builds on an earlier project already under way in Nottingham and Birmingham.