Major Progress in Developing Simple Blood Test for Earlier Bile Duct Cancer Detection in PSC
Major Progress in Developing Simple Blood Test for Earlier Bile Duct Cancer Detection in PSC
Professor Jesús Bañales and Dr Pedro Rodrigues
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.
Our long-term goal is to translate these incredible discoveries into a practical, cost-effective blood test that can be used globally, empowering PSC patients and their physicians with better tools to monitor cancer risk and detect CCA when it is most treatable.
Turning Ambition into Action in 2026:
Our Fortnight in Focus
At PSC Support, we want a world without PSC. We work tirelessly behind the scenes to drive research and improve lives. Here is a snapshot of what we've been up to:
Improving Care: We attended a major national clinical conference to equip general gastroenterologists and nurses with specialist knowledge, which helps ensure future work is better aligned with what people with PSC need by improving local care and pathways.
Progressing Research: Our 2024 investment into early-stage research to build necessary scientific evidence enabled Dr James Sun to secure major national funding to explore the genetic drivers of the disease. This foundational knowledge is essential for identifying potential new treatments.
Progressing Research: We supported the development of a research manuscript on nutrition in PSC, so that the findings can be effectively shared with the wider medical community. This will help us advocate for the needs of people with PSC to ensure they get the care they need at the right time.
Improving Care: We hosted a clinical consensus meeting to map out an ideal PSC care pathway, which helps ensure future PSC management is better aligned with what people with PSC need. Establishing standard protocols across the NHS is essential for eliminating regional variations in care.
Progressing Research: We contributed to the strategic planning of an international rare liver disease network, which supports progress towards better care for people with PSC. Broadening our influence ensures patient needs are integrated into wider clinical strategies.
Improving Care: We shared firsthand experiences of living with PSC at an international medical school event, which improves clinical understanding of the disease for healthcare professionals. This is important because ensuring future specialists understand the human impact of PSC helps drive patient-centered care and clinical excellence.
Progressing Research: After just over 48 hours on our Big Give Small Charity Week match funding initiative, your donations helped us get to 78% of the way to our £20,000 goal! Thank you! Can we reach 100%?