Service from Informed Genomics could save NHS tens of millions every year, speed up waiting times and test thousands of patients without a hospital visit
4 September 2024, Birmingham UK – Informed Genomics, the UK-based genomic testing laboratory delivering innovative ISO accredited services, has announced a partnership with five NHS Trusts to pilot the use of its non-invasive GALEAS™ Bladder cancer testing service.
If Informed Genomics’ service is found to be as effective as the current standard of care, a cystoscopy, at detecting bladder cancer – as indicated by previous smaller studies – it could be integrated into routine NHS care, saving the NHS tens of millions every year.
Bladder cancer is identified in about 10% of cystoscopies performed, making it one of the most expensive cancers to manage and treat. This uncomfortable and costly hospital procedure involves a camera being passed through the urethra to the bladder.
Informed Genomics’ service could move most patients without cancer to a non-urgent pathway, removing unnecessary invasive procedures from an over-burdened healthcare system and significantly reducing costs.
A cystoscopy costs the NHS upwards of £800*, at least twice the price of a GALEAS Bladder testing service. The NHS reports that 110,000 patients are sent for a cystoscopy every year and up to 90% of that number could be spared this invasive investigation by utilising the GALEAS bladder testing service. If this was used in the non-visible haematuria setting (lower risk patients), it would save the NHS millions and have a huge impact on reducing waiting lists.
The five participating NHS Trusts are now recruiting 1,400 patients for service evaluation studies to compare the performance of Informed Genomics’ service with a cystoscopy.
The non-invasive service from Informed Genomics uses the GALEAS Bladder test, which detects bladder cancer by picking up genetic markers in urine samples. In these evaluation studies, all patients will receive a cystoscopy as usual plus provide a urine sample that will be sent to Informed Genomics UK laboratory for testing, analysis and reporting. The results will then be compared with those from the cystoscopies to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the GALEAS Bladder test.
Ashwin Sridhar, consultant urologist at the University College of London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The GALEAS Bladder test represents a major advancement in bladder cancer diagnosis, offering a highly sensitive, non-invasive, and patient-friendly alternative to traditional diagnostic methods. Its ability to accurately detect and monitor bladder cancer through simple urine samples could significantly improve patient outcomes and optimise healthcare resources.”
Results from the service evaluations are expected to report in Q4 2024. An additional evaluation will take place in Q1 2025 to assess GALEAS Bladder for surveillance – monitoring patients who have had bladder cancer to see if the disease is progressing or coming back. This study will include health economic and ecologic outcomes, allowing the NHS to evaluate its cost effectiveness for this use.
Simon Davis, CEO of Informed Genomics, said: “I’m excited to be working with these NHS Trusts to prove the effectiveness of our bladder cancer testing service on a larger scale. Initial feedback from urologists has been overwhelmingly positive. If the evaluation is successful, it could transform healthcare journeys for anyone displaying signs of haematuria, one of the most common signs of bladder cancer. Not only will it reduce the need for many patients to attend a hospital appointment for an uncomfortable procedure, but it will save NHS resources by freeing up capacity to focus on the most urgent cancer cases – reducing waiting times and costs.”
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* Cost of cystoscopy only (NHS Tariff £330), plus staff time and ancillary costs for £470. Does not represent the full pathway.
