Summary of early NHS-Galleri trial results shared

A high‑level summary has been issued sharing some early results from the NHS-Galleri trial.

The NHS-Galleri trial is looking into the use of a blood test to see if it can help the NHS to detect cancer early when used alongside existing cancer screening. The blood test (known as the ​‘Galleri test’) can detect a signal shared by many different types of cancer in a sample of a person’s blood. 

Results so far

The summary shared so far is not the full results, and researchers are still carefully studying all the data.

One of the main aims of the trial was to see whether there was reduction in later stage cancers (stage 3 and stage 4) diagnosed among people who received the test compared with people who did not receive the test. The early results show that this aim was not met in a statistically definite way.

However, people who had the test had fewer cancers found at the most advanced stage (stage 4). The test also helped to find more cancers overall, and more were found at an earlier stage (stage 1 and 2) in some cancer types.

Professor Richard Neal, Co-Chief Investigator for the NHS-Galleri trial, said: ​“Even though some results are not what we hoped for, the trial has already given researchers a lot of important information about how this type of blood test might help find cancer. There is still much more to learn from the data.

“The NHS-Galleri trial is the first and largest trial of its kind in the world, and it would not have been possible without all the volunteers who took part. The generous involvement of our participants will help improve understanding and may benefit patients in the future.”

More data to come

Early summary results have been shared because the company that developed the test is listed on the stock market. This means the company is legally required to share important results as soon as they are known.

The NHS-Galleri trial is a very large and complex study. This early summary only tells part of the story.

The results are complex, and researchers are still reviewing all the data. The full results will help us better understand what this test could mean for the future.

The full results are expected to be ready later this year, and updates will be posted on the trial website as they become available.