1. What is a liquid biopsy?
A liquid biopsy involves taking a sample of fluid from a person, usually a blood sample, and analysing this to either detect cancer cells or DNA that is circulating in the blood.
Liquid biopsies are less invasive for patients than a traditional tissue biopsy, which requires removing a sample from the tumour itself. At the moment, both liquid and tissue biopsy may be used to provide information to clinicians to enable them to plan a patient’s personalised treatment. This is an increasing area for cancer clinical care although the implementation of liquid biopsies is in its infancy and is currently not a suitable option for all cancers or all stages of cancer.
2.What is the QuicDNA study?
The QuicDNA study is evaluating the benefit of introducing a liquid biopsy to the diagnostic pathway for lung cancer. Currently doctors need to wait for the molecular results of a tissue biopsy before they can plan the best treatment for a patient. This can take several weeks. In the QuicDNA study, blood is taken from a patient with suspected lung cancer, and this is examined to look for circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). The introduction of the blood test to the diagnostic pathway can help to shorten the wait meaning doctors can plan a patient’s personalised treatment sooner.
Lung cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Wales and the leading cause of cancer death. Most people are diagnosed with lung cancer at an advanced stage, which makes treating it much more difficult. The introduction of a liquid biopsy that can help speed up decisions about treatments may drastically improve outcomes for patients.
The study is set to span multiple health boards across Wales and has an extensive range of partners and funders involved.
Find our more here: QuicDNA liquid biopsy real world evaluation | Life Sciences (lshubwales.com)
3. I have recently been diagnosed with lung cancer. Will I be offered the QuicDNA blood test?
QuicDNA is an ongoing clinical evaluation study being conducted across two health boards in Wales: Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. The study aims to expand its reach to include all health boards in Wales. If you’re curious about whether the study is available in your health board, consult your doctor. They can also guide you on whether a liquid biopsy is a suitable option for you.
4. What are the Welsh Lung Health Checks and are they linked to the QuicDNA study?
The Lung Health Check pilot, launched in September 2023, is currently taking place in North Rhondda. Hundreds of patients aged 60 to 74 who are smokers, or who have smoked in the past, from selected doctors’ surgeries, were invited to take part. The first stage is a telephone conversation to talk about their health and, based on this discussion, some were then invited for a lung cancer screening scan, to check for any early signs of lung cancer.
The Lung Health Checks are not linked to the QuicDNA study. Screening programmes, like lung health checks, are intended to identify cancer and cancer-risk, at an early stage. The QuicDNA study is evaluating an approach to tailor personalised treatment for patients usually with advanced stage of lung cancer.
For further information on the Lung Health Check pilot in Wales please visit: Cwm Taf University Health Board - Lung Health Checks
5. What is the Maxwell Family Genomics Fund and how can I get involved?
Craig Maxwell, a former chief commercial officer for the Six Nations rugby tournament and the Welsh Rugby Union, was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in September 2022. Since his diagnosis he has been a driving force in fundraising hundreds of thousands of pounds for the QuicDNA study.
Craig and his family have now established the Maxwell Family Genomics Fund to further advance cancer care and genomic innovation in Wales. You can find out more about the fund and how to get involved here - Maxwell Family Genomics Fund
6. Where can I find more information about Lung Cancer?
For more information on the signs and symptoms of lung cancer or for help and support visit: Macmillan Cancer support - Lung Cancer
7. Can liquid biopsies be used to help diagnose or plan treatment for other cancers and if so, are these being offered in Wales?
Liquid biopsies offer the potential to transform cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance. This is a space that is advancing at scale and great pace, worldwide.
In Wales, there is a nationally co-ordinated approach to ensure there is defined academic and clinical evidence led input for the adoption of liquid biopsy for the screening, diagnosis and surveillance of cancer.
You can read more about this in the Genomics Delivery Plan for Wales here: Genomics Delivery Plan for Wales 2022-2025
