Oxford's innovative blood test leverages Machine Learning for early Multi-Cancer detection

OXFORDSHIRE: Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a pioneering blood test named TriOx, which utilizes machine learning to detect multiple cancer types at their earliest stages. This advancement holds significant potential for enhancing early diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

TriOx operates by analyzing various features of DNA present in the bloodstream, identifying subtle cancer indicators. This method offers a rapid, sensitive, and minimally invasive alternative to traditional detection techniques. In a study published in Nature Communications, TriOx demonstrated high accuracy in identifying six different cancer types, including early-stage cancers, and effectively distinguished between individuals with and without cancer.

The research team employed a novel DNA analysis technique called TAPS in conjunction with machine learning to assess multiple key features of circulating DNA. This comprehensive approach enhances the detection of the small fraction of cancer-derived DNA, making TriOx particularly sensitive in identifying cancer.

Professor Anna Schuh, lead researcher and Professor of Molecular Diagnostics at Oxford's Department of Oncology, stated, "Our new test brings together the best of cutting-edge science and machine learning. It allows us to look at the whole cancer genome, improving reliability. While this test is still early in development, with further work, we believe it has the potential to improve survival rates for millions worldwide, by enabling implementation of routine blood tests to catch cancer earlier, when it’s easier to treat."

The TriOx test was evaluated using blood samples from patients exhibiting potential cancer symptoms and asymptomatic individuals. It demonstrated a sensitivity of 94.9% and a specificity of 88.8%, ensuring that patients without cancer are not subjected to unnecessary procedures, while those with cancer can receive timely treatment.

Dr. Dimitris Vavoulis, co-lead researcher from Oxford's Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, emphasized the significance of early detection: "Many cancers, such as pancreatic and ovarian, often go unnoticed until they’ve advanced, when treatment is more difficult and less effective. Current screening methods are limited to a few cancers and are often invasive, deterring many from regular checks. Although our approach is still early in development, we envision that a simple blood draw could eventually be all that’s needed to screen for multiple cancers, giving patients and doctors a faster, more convenient tool to stay ahead of the disease."

The research team is now focused on expanding and validating the test across a broader range of cancer types and larger patient groups. They are also exploring ways to integrate TriOx into routine healthcare, aiming to make early cancer detection as common as standard blood tests for cholesterol or blood sugar levels.

This study received funding from Innovate UK and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre and was conducted in collaboration with Exact Sciences. Professor Anna Schuh is the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of SerenOx, the company to which TriOx is licensed.