Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Sarah KhanORCiD, James ElgeyORCiD, Emma Dobson, Dr Andrew Mkwashi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Background: Bowel cancer is a prevalent cancer worldwide and, in the UK, with its burden is projected to increase significantly by 2030. Early detection is critical for improving survival rates. Currently a screening test, Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), is used for screening bowel cancer by examining the presence of blood in the stool sample which upon a positive result is followed up with a colonoscopy. Early screening using blood-based biopsy tests with FIT may offer a more convenient and quicker screening option and save time and resources for the NHS. This horizon scan aims to support the UK National Screening Committee's Horizon Scanning team to scope out available evidence in relation to a potential programme modification to the current NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. Methods: The Innovation Observatory conducted searches in June 2025 across two clinical trial registries, Clinicaltrials.gov and WHO ICTRP. Eligibility criteria required technologies to be blood tests that were being investigated in patients undergoing screening for bowel cancer that had undertaken FIT. Timeframe included trials published on the registries in the last three years. We manually screened the clinical trials against the eligibility criteria, followed by data extraction from eligible trial records into an Excel spreadsheet. Results: In total 507 trial records were identified for screening. After screening, twenty-seven trial records were included in the final dataset. Fourteen of these trials are still recruiting participants, five are not yet recruiting, two are active, not recruiting, and six are completed. Thirteen trials are projected to be completed between 2025 and 2028. Half of the trial records included those where a FIT is being conducted. Ten trials are sponsored by industry or were being conducted in collaboration with industry. Geographically, ten trials are being conducted in European countries. The information regarding regulatory approval and scores for technology readiness level for the twenty-seven blood-based biopsy test was added subsequently. Conclusion: This piece of work presents information on blood-based biopsy tests for screening bowel cancer currently in clinical development globally. Information regarding the types of upcoming tests, the developers, geographical locations of clinical trials provided in this horizon scan might facilitate strategy and policy for implementation for screening bowel cancer in the future.
Author(s): Khan S, Elgey J, Zhang S, Dobson E, Town K, Dliwayo R, Mkwashi A
Publication type: Report
Publication status: Published
Series Title:
Year: 2025
Pages: 29
Online publication date: 10/09/2025
Acceptance date: 09/08/2025
Institution: National Institute for Health and Care Research Innovation Observatory (NIHR IO)
Place Published: Newcastle University
URL: https://io.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NIHRIO-Final-Report_Bowel-Cancer-Screening-Tests_Jul-2025_.pdf
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.29948027
