Scientists and NHS officials have described a newly developed diagnostic tool for brain tumours as potentially transformative for patient care. The test, created by the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at the University of Nottingham, enables diagnosis while patients remain on the operating table, marking a significant advancement in treatment timelines.
The genomic test works by analyzing the genetic code of tumour tissue samples within a matter of hours. Rather than traditional microscopic examination, small tissue samples are sent to a pathology laboratory where they are processed through a sequencing machine manufactured by Oxford Nanopore. Inside the device, DNA molecules pass through a nanopore, revealing the unique genome that identifies the specific tumour type. This approach produces faster and more accurate results compared to conventional diagnostic methods.
The NHS has already begun implementing the tool, which reduces waiting times for diagnosis from up to eight weeks to approximately two hours. Prof Frankie Swords, NHS medical director, characterized the rapid test as “a huge leap forward for patients” with the “potential to completely transform how we diagnose brain tumours.” Stuart Smith, a consultant neurosurgeon at Nottingham university hospitals NHS trust and co-lead of the research centre, emphasized that earlier diagnosis provides critical information at the moment when surgical decisions are being made.
The rollout strategy involves initial piloting across five specialist centres across the country before broader expansion. These centres include 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. Subsequently, the test will be introduced to sites in Bristol, Oxford, Leeds, and Manchester. Primary brain tumours represent the leading cause of death among children and adults under 40 in the UK.
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