We are delighted to share an exciting update on our international research project, which aims to create a simple, non-invasive blood test to help predict and detect cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer, or CCA for short) risk in people with PSC earlier.

In the first half of this global collaboration, led by Dr Pedro Rodrigues and Professor Jesús Bañales, significant progress has been made. The team collected blood samples from over 800 PSC patients from collaborating hospitals and research centres across the world. They measured levels of promising blood proteins (biomarkers) that showed potential in their earlier work. Encouragingly, these biomarkers continue to differentiate between individuals at higher risk and those with early-stage cancer, even within this larger and more diverse cohort. Comparison groups, including those with benign biliary conditions, were also included to enhance the test's accuracy.

This work directly addresses the urgent need for better surveillance tools, a priority we have emphasised along with the rest of the global PSC community. There is immense value in early diagnosis because that is when treatment is most likely to be effective.

The second phase will focus on completing detailed statistical analyses, developing a user-friendly online tool for clinicians, and preparing the findings for publication.